Bowlan Shines in Debut

Wilmington, DE- Right-hander Jonathan Bowlan tossed six scoreless innings and matched a career-high with nine strikeouts in his Blue Rocks' debut as Wilmington shutout the Frederick Keys by the score of 5-0 Sunday afternoon at Frawley Stadium.
 

The Blue Rocks offense got going in the third inning, sending 10 men to the plate and scored four runs, highlighted by an MJ Melendez two-run homer over the right field wall to give Bowlan more than enough support. Wilmington added another run in the fourth inning as Brewer Hicklen drew a walk, stole second and third base and came to score on a wild pitch to give the Rocks the 5-0 lead.
Bowlan was impressive in his Advanced-A debut working six scoreless innings, scattering six hits, walking one and matching a career-high with nine strikeouts in a dominant performance. Josh Dye and Tad Ratliff bridged the final three innings in scoreless fashion to help earn the Rocks their ninth shutout win of the season.
Hicklen and Nick Pratto finished with a pair of hits with Pratto smacking two doubles in the game.
Wilmington begins a week-long road trip beginning with a three-game series at Potomac on Monday, June 23. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. LHP Austin Cox makes his Wilmington debut. Fans can listen to all the action with the Voice of the Blue Rocks, Cory Nidoh, on 89.7 WGLS-FM.
PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:
The Rocks posted their ninth shutout victory of the season and the fourth against the Keys. Last season the Blue Rocks had just one shutout win. The Blue Rocks outscored the Keys in the four-game set 18-7.
The starting pitching carried the Blue Rocks in the four-game series, with all four starters turning in quality starts. Bowlan, Daniel Tillo, Marcelo Martinez and Kris Bubic combined to work 25.1 innings allowing just two earned runs. The Blue Rocks pitching staff over the last eight starts have an impressive 1.26 ERA.
Brewer Hicklen reached base three more times in the win as he continues his torrid month of June. The outfielder picked up a pair of singles, drove in a run, scored twice and stole three bases as the outfielder has an on-base percentage north of .530 heading into the final week of the month.