Seaver King slides into second. The Nationals former first round pick hit his first career home run in the loss Friday. - Photo via Hannah Capolingua
The Wilmington Blue Rocks’ three-game winning streak has come to an end after a painful loss against the Aberdeen IronBirds in Wilmington by a score of 4-3.
The Blue Rocks were able to take an early lead in the bottom of the second inning when Brandon Boissiere hit a two-run home run over the left field wall. This was Boissiere’s first home run of the season, and with it, he’s already tied his home run total from last season.
Throughout the game, it felt like at any moment the IronBirds were going to make a push and get the lead. They hit many fly balls that just died in the outfield at the wall, which turned what could have been home runs into doubles. The only run they were able to plate early was in the top of the third inning when Aneudis Mordán and Jalen Vasquez hit back-to-back doubles.
Despite the hard-hit balls he gave up, Travis Stehle put in another good day’s work on the mound. Anytime he gave up a hard hit, he would come back and get out of the inning unscathed, with the exception of the third. His final line was 6.2 innings pitched, six hits, one earned run, and four strikeouts.
One of the early themes of the season for Stehle has been the difference between his home and road splits. At home, Stehle has a 1.02 ERA in three starts, while on the road he has a 23.63 ERA in his only start.
The other run Wilmington was able to score was off the bat of the Washington Nationals’ most recent first-round pick, Seaver King. With a 1-1 count, King put a drive into a ball that went over the left-center field wall.
“I just was looking for one over the plate,” King said. “He got me to check swing on one, and then he went back to it, and I was on time for it.”
This was King’s first home run of his professional career. Not only was it his first—it was also on his birthday.
“I kind of blacked out,” King said. “Nothing too crazy, but we did not come out with a win, which is a little disappointing. I am glad to get the first one out of the way. I was swinging and seeing the ball well today, and you know what, it just so happened to be my birthday.”
King thus far has struggled at the High-A level, but this home run may be the momentum boost he needs to start getting it going.
“It has been tough,” King said. “Just to come out on the other side and feel good about myself and my game, it is a lot. It is a testament to my teammates and our coaches to build me up every day.”
Everything fell apart in the top of the ninth for Wilmington. Chance Huff got the ball on the mound with a 3-1 lead. Huff was able to get the first out of the inning, then give up a single and a double in back-to-back plate appearances. This brought up Ryan Stafford, who hit a double to score both runners and tie it at three. Then Vasquez hit a single to score Stafford and take the lead.
The Rocks were held scoreless in the bottom of the ninth inning, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
The Rocks will attempt to get back in the win column tomorrow, Saturday, April 26.
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