MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com-Wilmington, DE –For the second time in three nights, Wilmington relieverKelvin Villaallowed a late two-run triple which led directly to a Blue Rocks loss.On Wednesday it gave the Myrtle Beach Pelicans a 6-5 victory at Frawley Stadium, their third win in as many nights over the Blue Crew.

The decisive hit came in the top of the ninth.With the game tied 4-4, Donnell Linares opened the inning with a double to left.But Villa (2-6) seemed to settle down, retiring the next two batters on a strikeout and pop up to third.

Gerry Rodriguez kept the frame alive though by drawing a walk to put runners at the corners.That brought catcher Jesus Sucre to the plate.
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Sucre sliced a fly ball deep into the right-field corner, whichPaulo Orlandosprinted after.Orlando, who had earlier made a brilliant catch as he ran full speed into the wall, stuck his glove arm out, but just could not bring the ball in.

The result was Sucre's first triple of the season, two Myrtle Beach runs, and a deficit the Blue Rocks would never erase.

The loss came despite a valiant rally from the Rocks in the bottom of the seventh.

Wilmington had its first five batters of the frame reach base.Antonio Jimenezfollowed anAnthony Seratelliwalk with a single to put runners at first and third.That allowed slumping catcherRyan Eigsti'sRBI single to pull the Blue Crew to within a single score.

Then Jimenez made a huge mental mistake as he was retired at second on a snap throw by Sucre.Adrian Ortizfollowed with a single to right that scored Eigsti thanks to a timely miscue by right fielder Chris Shehan.The Myrtle Beach outfielder attempted to throw behind Ortiz, who had taken a wide turn of first.His toss tailed away from first baseman Ernesto Mejia, which gave Eigsti time to circle home and tie the game.

Derrick Robinsonthen walked to put men at first and second, butJohnny Giavotellagrounded into an inning-ending double play.

In the ninth, Wilmington again kicked up a fuss.Eigsti opened the inning with an infield single.Two outs later he came home on Giavotella's base hit to left.Mike Moustakasthen stepped to the dish as the potential winning run.But the Blue Rocks team leader in home runs and RBIs could not come through.He flew out to center field to end the game.

The offensive activity near the end of the contest simply echoed the offensive fireworks which ushered in the evening.Cody Johnson launched a two-run homer with two outs in the first to give the Pelicans a 2-0 lead.

Wilmington responded with a Derrick Robinson single, a Giavotella RBI triple, and a Moustakas run-scoring groundout to tie the game during the bottom of the first.

In the second, Rodriguez blasted a solo home run to put Myrtle Beach back in front.The Pelicans would add a critical insurance tally in the sixth.Cole Miles singled and moved to second on an Eigsti passed ball.He then advanced to third on Michael Fisher's grounder to second, and scored on a Linares sacrifice fly.

Myrtle Beach hurler Patrick Currin earned the win.The right-hander tossed 2.2 scoreless frames out of the bullpen.He was the man who induced Giavotella's rally-killing double play in the seventh.

The Rocks look to avoid the four-game sweep on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m.Jason Godin(1-0, 2.36) will make his second start of the season for Wilmington, while Myrtle Beach will counter with Richard Sullivan (2-5, 4.16).

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:

The Blue Rocks' struggles at home continued on Wednesday.Wilmington has now lost 11 of its last 14 games at Frawley Stadium.The Blue Crew have been outscored over that stretch, 68-31.

StarterEduardo Paulinoallowed four runs on six hits over seven innings to take a no-decision.The effort marked the fifth time in his last seven starts that Paulino has gone at least six frames.Wilmington is 4-3 over that stretch.

After opening the Myrtle Beach series just 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position, the Rocks responded by going 4-for-10 in clutch situations on Wednesday.

The Rocks stranded seven men on base in the one-run loss though.They have now abandoned 29 baserunners over the last three games.

Johnny Giavotellahad two more hits on Wednesday.The second baseman now has knocks in 17 of his last 20 outings.He has raised his average by 28 points over that stretch to .241.

After beginning his Blue Rocks career 0-for-17,Antonio Jimenezrecorded his first hit on the Riverfront with a bunt-single in the bottom of the fifth.Jimenez enjoyed the feeling so much, he did it again with a clean hit to right in the seventh.

Myrtle Beach left fielder Cody Johnson tied the Pelicans franchise record by lifting his 23^rdhome run of the season over the right-field fence in the first.Mike Hessman now shares the mark with Johnson thanks to his 23 dingers in 1999.

Ryan Eigsti, who had been mired in a 10-for 78 slump at the plate since June 1, showed signs of life on Wednesday.The Blue Rocks backstop had two hits, drove in a run, and scored twice.He now has three knocks over his last two games.