The Wilmington Blue Rocks opened up the first game of the last series in the 2022 regular season on top, defeating the Hudson Valley Renegades 5-3 on Tuesday, September 6.
The home team got on the board first in the bottom of the first when Leandro Emiliani hit a single into right field to bring home Cody Wilson, who was at second. Wilson was able to reach second off a stolen base, his first of four on the night.
Despite taking the early lead, the Blue Rocks and their starting pitcher Lucas Knowles ran into a bit of trouble in the top of the second when T.J. Rumfield hit a home run to start off the inning. That was only the beginning of the Renegades’ scoring as they would hit a series of singles that drove in two more runs to take the 3-1 lead.
That would be all of Hudson Valley’s scoring that night as Knowles was able to shut them down in his next three innings of work, ending his day recording three runs, five hits, one walk, and eight strikeouts through five.
The Blue Rocks on the other hand were able to answer back in the bottom of the third when Wilson’s speed came in handy once again.
While stealing third, the Renegades’ catcher Anthony Seigler made an error, throwing the ball into left field, allowing Wilson to reach home. This play was identical to one in the first inning, only this one wasn’t overturned and tied up the game 3-3.
Wilmington’s highlight of the night came in the fifth though, as, with Wilson and Viandel Pena on base, Onix Vega hit his fourth home run of the season, this one to left field, to take the 5-3 lead.
That’s all the Blue Rocks needed to grab the victory and head into their last five games of the year with the 1-0 advantage over the Renegades. Their next game is set for Wednesday, September 7 at 6:35 p.m.
