WILMINGTON, DE (6/2/26) — The Wilmington Blue Rocks lost game one of a six-game homestand, 10-2, Tuesday against the Bowling Green Hot Rods.
Wilmington dropped to 26-25 on the season but still sits in third place in the South Atlantic League North Division. Meanwhile, Bowling Green sits alone atop the SAL South at 37-14.
The Hot Rods jumped all over left-handed starter Gavin Bruni in the early innings, scoring six runs in the first three innings and knocking him out of the game early.
Manager Ted Tom offered some advice for Bruni on how to bounce back.
“Just stick to the things that he knows,” Tom said. “I thought he did a good job of getting ahead [in the count], but he wasn’t able to put guys away.”
Wilmington struggled with Bowling Green’s explosive offense early on and couldn’t keep up with the Hot Rods, who got plenty of help from the long ball.
Rays No. 1 prospect Theo Gillen lived up to his status with two hits, including a solo home run in the fourth inning. Twenty-year-old Adrian Santana started the game with a solo shot, setting the tone for Bowling Green’s offensive night.
Starting pitcher Jacob Kisting pitched five innings and struck out seven batters, but the Blue Rocks were still able to tally seven hits against him.
T.J. White and Angel Feliz both had two hits, with all of their hits being singles. Ethan Petry drove in both runs for the Blue Rocks with an RBI double in the first inning and an RBI single off a cue shot in the fifth. Ronny Cruz smacked a double in the fifth inning, and Kevin Bazzell also reached via a base hit.
Even with the seven hits Wilmington recorded, the Blue Rocks failed to cash in with runners in scoring position.
White acknowledged that the Rocks need to do a better job of bringing runners home in key moments.
“We just gotta do a better job with guys in scoring position,” White said. “Like myself too, just not being too impatient and letting the game come to you.”
White was also thankful to be back in Wilmington after the Blue Rocks managed only two wins against Brooklyn in the previous series.
“You can definitely see the ball better when you’re at home,” White said. “It’s good to be back in Frawley in front of the fans.”
Despite the loss, the Rocks still have five more games to make some noise and hinder Bowling Green’s division title chase.
The Blue Rocks will play again Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. at Frawley Stadium. Riley Maddox is the probable starter for Wilmington, and Tom is looking forward to his outing.
“What’s the baseball saying? You’re only as good as tomorrow’s starter,” Tom said. “Riley Maddox is gonna give us a really good outing, stick to his strengths, and give us a chance to win.”