Barley Walks It Off For Blue Rocks

During the last game of the series against the Jersey Shore BlueClaws on Sunday, July 3, the Wilmington Blue Rocks walked away with the win, 4-3. Although this wasn’t enough to take the series, which ended 3-2 in the BlueClaws’ favor, it will certainly put a pep in their step as the team heads down to North Carolina for the Fourth of July.

Jersey Shore, the High-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, started the scoring early in the top of the first inning after outfielder Ethan Wilson doubled on a fly to left field and made third base on a passed ball by catcher Israel Pineda, he went onto steal home to mark the first run of the game.

In the top of the second inning, the BlueClaws saw similar success. Jared Carr saw the bases first after being walked. During a wild pitch, Carr reached second and made it home for the BlueClaws’ second run of the night after third baseman Freylin Minyety doubled on a line drive down left field.

It wasnt until the bottom of the fifth that the Blue Rocks finally took the lead, cramming three runs into one half-inning of play. During a balk from BlueClaws’ relief pitcher Ben Brown with Drew Mendoza at bat, centerfielder Ricardo Mendez scored and Kevin Strohschein– who had singled on a line drive to right field earlier– moved to second base. This was the place to be as second baseman Cole Daily swiftly hit a two-RBI double to send Strohschein and Mendoza home, taking the lead 3-2.

In the seventh inning, Jersey Shore would take a crack at re-securing their lead in the game when designated hitter Rixon Wingrove hit his sixth home run of the season to tie the game 3-3.

The eighth and ninth innings would remain scoreless for both teams, resulting in some bonus baseball for the two teams.

At the top of the tenth, the BlueClaws were unable to bring in their runner placed on base and left the inning scoreless, paving the way for the Blue Rocks to take the lead.

After Kevin Strohschein flied out, Drew Mendoza was intentionally walked so that the BlueClaws could attempt a double play with the next batter, Jordy Barley. However, Barley was sure to never give Jersey Shore a chance at this play as he doubled on a fly ball to center field– securing a walk-off victory for the Blue Rocks, 4-3.

Overall, Wilmington relief pitcher Jose Ferrer was credited with the win for his two strikeouts and zero hits allowed. The BlueClaws’ relief pitcher who ended the game, Jonathan Hughes, was handed the loss.

The Blue Rocks will now take their skill to North Carolina as they prepare to play the Winston-Salem Dash for the Fourth of July and continue their series on Wednesday, July 6.