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Wilmington Blue Rocks

Blue Rocks Game Notes

July 30, 2007 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Wilmington Blue Rocks (30-38, 22-14) Carolina League Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals vs. Potomac Nationals (29-39, 19-17) Carolina League Affiliate of the Washington Nationals

Game No. 105 -- Away Game No. 56 -- Pfitzner Stadium -- Monday, July 30, 2007 -- 7:35 p.m.

BLANKED: Not even a vintage Rowdy Hardy pitching effort could lift the Wilmington Blue Rocks to victory, as the team suffered its second shutout defeat in three days yesterday afternoon. Jim Deters and two relievers combined on a four-hitter as the Kinston Indians blanked the Blue Rocks, 2-0, thus taking three out of four games from the Rocks on the series. Journeyman catcher Armando Camacaro's lead-off home run against Hardy (13-3) in the third inning provided the game's decisive blow, while Wilmington's offense failed to generate a single base hit after third inning and each of its four hits were singles.

A MORE HARDY, HARDY: Haunted by Kinston's imposing offense in two prior appearances, Hardy looked more like his usual stingy self on Sunday. Entering action as the league leader in wins, innings pitched, and ERA, the southpaw had been victimized for 10 runs over 11.1 innings over his last two starts versus the Indians, both resulting in losses. But, on Sunday, Hardy displayed some of his finest work, holding the best offense in the league to one run on six hits over eight outstanding frames, lowering his ERA from 2.28 to 2.22 in the process. The Dallas, TX native fanned five and did not walk a batter.

THEY'VE GOT HIS NUMBER: All three of Rowdy Hardy's losses have come against Kinston. With this most recent setback, the southpaw dropped to 1-3 in six games (five starts) against the Southern Division leaders this season. His ERA in those games is 2.84 (down from 3.41 entering Sunday's action).

TRIBAL DOMINANCE: With the loss, the Blue Rocks finished the season 7-13 versus the K-Tribe, including a 1-9 ledger against the defending Carolina League champions at Frawley. The latter mark is a new franchise low for home victories against a league opponent in a single season. Wilmington's previous season-low for fewest home wins against a single opponent was two, last accomplished in 2005 when the Rocks went 2-8 versus Kinston. That dubious mark was first etched against the Winston-Salem Warthogs in both 1996 and 1997.

TIME TO EAT THE DONUTS: The Blue Rocks suffered their 10th shutout defeat of the season yesterday. Four of those defeats have come at the hands of the Kinston Indians. Wilmington was blanked by K-Tribe, 4-0, in the opening game of Saturday's doubleheader, as well.

HAT TRICK: Wilmington first baseman Miguel Vega struck out three more times in Sunday's game, bringing his Carolina League-leading total to 107 for the season, and putting him on pace to strike out 142 times this season. The record for single-season strikeouts by a Blue Rock is 159, set by Donnie Ross in 2001.

HITTING SOFTLY: In dropping three of four games against Kinston over the weekend, the Blue Rocks hit just a collective .170 (19-for-112), including a horried .092 (7-for-76) clip over the last three games, including two shutout losses. The series frustration dropped Wilmington's team batting average to .249 on the season, just three points better than the circuit's worst hitting offense, Frederick.

MAC ATTACK: Right fielder Brian McFall has been named the Player of the Week in the Carolina League. Last week, the 23-year-old hit .417 (10-for-24) with three doubles, a home run, 12 RBIs, two walks and two runs scored, slugging .677. He is the second Blue Rock to earn Player of the Week honors this season.

Tonight's Probables

WIL: RHP Michael Penn (2-1, 3.76) vs. POT: RHP Shawn Hill (M.L. Rehab) RHP Craig Stammen (7-6, 4.57)

SERIES OPENER: Wilmington begins the series with Michael Penn, making his third start since leaving a 6-1 lead in the fourth inning due to shoulder stiffness at Salem on May 12. The former University of Michigan Wolverine made four rehab starts with the rookie Arizona League Royals earlier this month, going 0-1 with a 5.63 ERA. In two starts since, he has posted a win at Lynchburg and a no-decision at Salem, logging a 4.32 ERA in the process. Major Leaguer Shawn Hill makes his first rehab start back from an elbow injury tonight. He is expected to throw three innings.

Thereafter, Potomac tosses a prospect in right-hander Craig Stammen. The all-time strikeout leader at the University of Dayton, ranked as the No. 21 overall prospect in the Nationals' system by Baseball America, comes off a loss at Kinston on Wednesday. His best pitch is his 12-6 curveball, along with a two-seam and fourseam fastball and a changeup. The league has hit .322 off the 12thround pick from the 2005 draft, including a .363 clip by lefties.

Meet The Nationals

A LESSON ON NATIONALISM: Potomac enters with losses in three of its last five and five of its last eight. The Nationals are in second place, just three games back of the first-place Blue Rocks in the Northern Division standings. An offensive squad, the P-Nats are one of three CL squads to average more than five runs a game, but rank in the bottom half of the circuit in team ERA at 4.46, including the third-highest amount of home runs allowed (74 in 104 games) and the second-most walks issued (4.2/g).

WHO TO WATCH: In 40 games as a Potomac National, Mike Daniel has hit .331 with 19 extra-base hits, 21 RBIs, 22 runs scored and 10 steals in 14 attempts. Super prospect Chris Marrero owns a .293 batting average over 38 games as a P-Nat, clubbing four home runs and driving in 22 total tallies.

ALL-TIME SERIES: The Blue Rocks lead the all-time series against the Nationals 177-111 (.615) including an 84-57 (.596) record at Pfitzner Stadium. These teams split last year's series, 10-10. Oddly, the road team had better luck with Wilmington going 6-4 at Potomac. Wilmington has won seven of the 10 meetings in 2007, including a one-run loss and an extra-inning setback.

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