Wilmington Blue Rocks Take Dramatic 3-2 Victory Over the Salem Avalanche 3-2

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com – Salem, VA – Another big RBI hit by the red-hot Jeff Bianchi plus air-tight defense came together and gave the Wilmington Blue Rocks (48-50, 13-15) a thrilling 3-2 victory in the rubber game of their series with the Salem Avalanche at Memorial Stadium on Saturday night.  Bianchi broke a 2-2 tie  with a double in the seventh, while defensive gems by catcher Matt Morizio and the Blue Rocks middle infield in the ninth preserved the victory.  Tyler Chambliss recorded his 16^th save in 18 chances to close out the contest. 

In a tie game with two outs and runners at the corners in the top of the seventh, Avalanche manager Jim Pankovits brought in right-hander Jason Dominguez to face Bianchi, a right-handed hitter.  Dominguez, who throws at a nearly sidearm angle, got ahead of Bianchi 0-2 and appeared ready to put away the Wilmington shortstop.  But, the Lancaster, PA native lashed the next pitch - a changeup - into the left-field corner to plate the go-ahead run. 

Bianchi, who batted in the two-hole for just the second time this season, is 5-for-12 with four RBIs through three games on this important seven-game swing for Wilmington. 

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The Blue Rocks bullpen, which came into play after just four innings by starter Mario Santiago, continued its dazzling effort in the aftermath of Bianchi’s blow.  Beginning with a pair of outs in the sixth, the bullpen combo of Russ Haltiwanger and newest Blue Rock Chris Chavez retired eight in a row, bridging the game to the ninth.   

That’s when things got itchy for the Blue Rocks and Chambliss.  Jimmy Van Ostrand drew a four-pitch walk to open the frame and was bumped to second on a Koby Clemens single to left.  But, a sac bunt attempt by Tim Torres was turned into an out at third, thanks to quick feet and an accurate throw by Morizio.  Brian Bogusevic, the hero in Friday’s Avalanche victory, then bounced into a game-ending 4-6-3 double play, triggered and turned by Kurt Mertins and Bianchi, respectively. 

Haltiwanger (3-1) picked up the win.  The righty from Augusta, GA hurled 2.2 scoreless innings of one-hit ball.  Chavez, who was received from Low-A Burlington at the onset of the road trip, turned in a perfect inning and a third in his Rocks debut. 

Salem took the game’s first lead with a pair of runs against Santiago in the third.  Jhon Florentino’s one-out single was followed by a Roberto Mena double to place runners at second and third.  Prospect Jordan Parraz, who was a healthy scratch the previous night, then drilled a triple into the right-field corner to put the Avs on top 2-0. 

The Blue Rocks fired back with a two-spot in the top of the fourth.  Salem starter Corey Bass, whose 11 loses were tied for most in the Carolina League entering the night, suffered his lone hiccup in the fourth.  Bianchi singled to center to start the frame and was pushed to third on Brad Correll’s double to right.  For Correll, the hit extended his hitting streak to 10 games.  Cody Strait gave the Rocks their first run with a single up the box.  Wilmington equalized the game when Correll crossed home on a double play ball off the wood of Mertins. 

The Avalanche threatened to re-establish a lead in both the fourth in the fifth, but were foiled by the Blue Rocks defense on both occasions.  With runners at the corners and no outs in the bottom of the fourth, Anthony Seratelli fielded a Torres grounder at first base and gunned down Van Ostrand at the dish.  In the fifth, Strait recorded his second outfield assist of the series when he snagged a Mark Ori fly ball in right field and turned it into an inning-ending double play.  With Parraz attempting to tag and score, the former Cincinnati Reds prospect fired a one-hop laser to home plate that Morizio received for an out.  Morizio absorbed a mighty collision and an elbow to the head, but held firm to baseball and denied the go-ahead bid. 

Off a gutty series victory in Salem, the Rocks invade Lynchburg, VA for a big four-game set with the Hillcats, beginning Sunday night at 6:05 p.m. ET.  Canadian right-hander Matt Kniginyzky (5-7, 3.78) will oppose Lynchburg righty Jared Hughes (3-7, 4.42).

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