WILMINGTON, DE (6/24/26) — The Wilmington Blue Rocks defeated the Frederick Keys, 2-0, Wednesday night at Frawley Stadium.
Wilmington drop the second game of the series and fall to 34-35 overall, and 3-2 in the second half. The Blue Rocks now sit tied for second in the South Atlantic League North Division. Frederick improves to 45-24 overall, 4-1 in the second half, and sit in first place.
Without Eli Willits in the lineup and the offense shut out yesterday, Wilmington needed to bring their A-game against the Keys.
Starting pitcher Miguel Sime gave the Blue Rocks a chance. After allowing two runs in the first inning, Sime struck out seven batters in just three and two thirds innings. His effort kept the Keys at bay for any Wilmington comeback.
“I was a little shaky after those first two hitters got some good swings off me,” Sime said. “After that, I kind of settled in and got back to doing what I do.”
The offense couldn’t muster much against a couple of tough Keys arms.
Keys starter Caden Hunter threw five scoreless innings, with eight strikeouts, and only allowing just one hit. Frederick’s bullpen shut things down too. Between Richard Guasch and Riley Cooper they went four innings and struck out six batters.
The Blue Rocks haven’t scored a run since Sunday and only have two hits since their last win. But for Wilmington Defensive Coach Mitchell Boe, there is no panic inside the clubhouse.
“I think we just keep showing up and putting in the work,” Boe said. “Those guys are going to get the bats rolling. It’s baseball. We ran into some really good arms. They were throwing strikes and executing. We just have to keep showing up.”
Boe is focused on the silver lining, which Wednesday night was the Blue Rocks pitching. Outside of the first inning the Blue Rocks allowed two hits and struck out 10 batters. This was in large part thanks to Bryan Polanco, who started the season as a starter but appeared in relief today and impressed from the bullpen.
The 25-year-old pitched four scoreless innings, struck out four batter, and allowed just one hit.
“After every inning, it was just, ‘Send him back out there. He’s doing great,’” Boe said. “So we just kept rolling with him.”
Despite the loss, the Blue Rocks pitching staff showed they can compete with the rest of the SAL. Wilmington’s pitchers matched Fredericks strikeout total and kept one of the best line ups in the SAL to under two runs.
Wilmington will play tomorrow to end their scoreless and winless streak when they host Frederick for game three of the series on Thursday night. First pitch at Frawley Stadium is slated for 6:35 p.m. and Alexander Meckley is expected to start.