WILMINGTON, DE (8/21/26) — The Wilmington Blue Rocks beat the Frederick Keys, 2-1, Friday night at Frawley Stadium. Wilmington won game two of Friday’s doubleheader.
Wilmington imrpoved to 59-58 overall and 28-24 in the second half. Frederick drops to 71-43 overall and 30-20 in the second half.
Making another rehab start was Jarlin Susana, who is recovering from a right-lat tear he suffered the previous September. Susana looked untouchable. The No. 3 prospect in the Nationals organization struck out seven batters in just two and two-thirds innings, his best performance in 2026 to date.
Jacob Walsh provided all the offense the Blue Rocks needed with a two-run single in the bottom of the fourth inning. Walsh broke his bat and looped the ball into shallow right field, allowing Luke Dickerson and Yeremy Cabrera to score.
Walsh was a driving force behind the Wilmington offense against Frederick. The lefty accounted for six RBIs in the series to date, including all three Wilmington runs that were scored between both games in Friday’s doubleheader.
Manager Ted Tom was ejected after arguing with a ball/strike call in the top of the fifth inning. Assistant coach Mitchell Boe assumed managerial duties for the rest of the game.
Boe watched as the Blue Rocks bullpen continued the pitching staff's dominant performance from the day, helping Wilmington hold Frederick to just one run across 14 innings.
“It feels really good, especially for these guys in the bullpen and especially for our starters,” Boe said. “The starters gave us a really good start and kind of set the tone. Those guys, every guy that came out of the bullpen, followed suit.”
The Blue Rocks repeatedly escaped difficult situations throughout the second game, including a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning.
Baron Stuart induced a ground ball that Luke Dickerson and Eli Willits turned into a double play before getting a pop out on the next pitch to end the threat.
“You have to just not freak out in some of those situations,” Wilmington pitching coach Justin Lord said. “We had the guy we wanted on the mound at the time. [Baron] Stuart got the ground ball. [Luke] Dickerson and Eli [Willits] turned a double play in the middle and kept their cool.”
Stuart’s ability to remain composed allowed Wilmington to preserve its one-run advantage.
“For him to come in and get that double play and then get a pop out on the next pitch was really cool,” Lord said. “He [Stuart] just kept his composure, and he’s a pro. He’s been in those situations before.”
The performance was part of a strong day for the Wilmington pitching staff. The Blue Rocks struck out 14 batters in the first game and held Frederick to just one run over the entire doubleheader.
“It was freaking awesome for these guys to get out there and pitch like they did today in a collective effort,” Lord said. “We had several guys pitch out of the bullpen, guys come in with runners on base, pick each other up. Starters set the tone pretty well.”
While Wilmington's offense was limited, Walsh continued to find ways to produce. Boe said Walsh’s ability to contribute even on a quieter offensive night is part of what makes him valuable to the club.
“He [Jacob Walsh] still found ways to get it done, and that’s what he is,” Boe said. “That’s who he is. He finds ways to get things done. So he’s a great dude to have on our side.”
Friday's win also kept Wilmington's playoff hopes alive with the regular season winding down. The Blue Rocks have continued to focus on their daily preparation rather than putting additional pressure on themselves because of the standings.
“We just show up every day,” Boe said. “Just keep showing up every day and keep putting in the work. Just because we’re at the end, we’re not going to not work. We’re still getting our work in.”
With the Blue Rocks fighting for a playoff spot, the ability to win games with their pitching could prove crucial down the stretch.
Boe, who has filled in as acting manager at various points this season, said taking over for Tom did not change the team's approach.
“Someone goes down, it’s the next man up,” Boe said. “Just the next man up and just keep this thing rolling in the right direction.”
The Blue Rocks will return to Frawley Stadium Saturday to continue their series against Frederick. Riley Maddox is expected to be on the bump for a 6:05 first pitch.