Royals: Varied Results On Minors Opening Weekend

Wilmington: Rocks still hunting for their first W

Hitters:

1B Ryan O’Hearn (3 games) 5-13, BB, 2B, RBI, 3 K, RS

LF Alfredo Escalera (3 games) 1-8, 4 BB, HBP, RBI, RS, 4 K

CF Brandon Downes (3 games) 2-12, RBI, 6 K

RF Elier Hernandez (3 games) 3-13, BB, RBI, 4 K, E

SS Humberto Arteaga (3 games) 4-14, RBI, 4 K, 3 RS, 2 SB

DH Austin Bailey RBI Friday

Pitchers:

SP Zach Lovvorn (Thu.) 3 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K, HRA — L, 0-1, 8.10 ERA

SP Pedro Fernandez (Fri.) 4 1/3 IP, ER, 4 H, BB, 5 K, WP — ND, 2.08 ERA

SP Matt Tenuta (Sun.) 4 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 4 BB, K, 2 HRA, 2 pickoffs — ND, 5.79 ERA

** A rainout was maybe the most favorable thing that happened to the Blue Rocks on opening weekend vs. Potomac. Opening Day saw the Nationals get 3 runs off Lovvorn and RP Derek Gordon in the 4th for all they’d need as they got a 6-1 win. Wilmington only had 3 hits with 15 K’s in the loss.

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The Rocks put up more fight in game 2 as it was 2-2 late but 3 late Potomac runs got the Nationals the 5-2 win. A Bailey RBI single tied the game in the 2nd and a run-scoring Potomac error tied it at 2 in the 7th. Errors by Hernandez and RP Josh Staumont on a 2-run play in the 8th cracked it open and the last 6 Rocks went down in order.

Fernandez had a solid start but ended up with a no-decision in the loss. Saturday’s game was a rain/snowout set to be made up 4/21. Sunday the struggles resumed as Potomac scored 6 late runs to get the 9-4 win. O’Hearn doubled and scored in the 5th to tie it at 3 but the Nats got to RPs Mark McCoy and Tim Hill for 4 runs in the 6th. Two Wilmington hits in the 9th ended up as a fruitless rally. Tenuta walked 4 and gave up 2 longballs in his 1st start of the season.

The Rocks start a 3-game set with Carolina (A-Adv. Atlanta) on Monday then have another set with Potomac on the road.

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