The Wilmington Blue Rocks fell to the Brooklyn Cyclones for the second time in the series, this time losing by a score of 1-0.

The game felt very similar to yesterday’s matchup in that it was a pitching duel between both teams. The teams combined for seven hits across nine innings of play. 

The big difference between this game and yesterday’s is that the Blue Rocks decided to go with a bullpen game, compared to a starter such as Travis Sthele.

The Blue Rocks decided to give Erik Tolman the nod as the opener. Coming into the game, Tolman had an ERA hovering around five. To say he was impressive out there would be an understatement. 

Tolman pitched a strong four innings, giving up one hit and striking out four. He struck out four hitters, double what Sthele did yesterday.

“Everything was working for me today,” Tolman said. “The fastball, slider, and changeup were all great. I really did not throw the changeup until my last inning, and I threw three or four, and I got the last hitter by throwing him a couple.”

Four innings were a season-high for Tolman. 

“I am feeling pretty good after that,” Tolman said. “Just a little fatigued, I am happy with how I played and will look to continue the way I played.”

Bryan Caceres came in and replaced Tolman in the fifth and pitched three good innings team.

The top of the sixth was the only blemish on the Blue Rocks’ pitching in the last two games. Cyclone center fielder Carson Benge hit a double which was followed up by a single into center field by Jesus Baez to score Benge.

The seven combined innings that Tolman and Caceres combined for will pay huge dividends for the final three games of the series, where Wilmington will have some of their best starters on the bump.

“It is huge,” Tolman said. “The more guys we have in the bullpen, the more options we have late in the week. Whether that is a lefty or righty coming out of the pen, we have all of our guys now going forward.”

On the flip side, the Blue Rocks’ offense continued to struggle in this series, having only five runs in three games so far. The pitching staff and team in general have not lost faith in the offense yet. 

“It is baseball,” Tolman said. “You are going to hit some days and other days you are not. It is the same as pitching. Today, the pitching aspect was definitely there, but today it was a little too late.”

The Blue Rocks will be looking to get a spark from anyone in the lineup, with an offense that has struggled to score at home all season long. If you look at most players ‘ road splits, they perform drastically better on the road compared to at home.

Tomorrow’s game will be the biggest matchup of the series for both sides when it comes to the immediate and long-term future of both major league organizations. Pitcher Sean Manaea is down from the Mets on a rehab assignment, while top 100 prospect Travis Sykora will be on the bump in what should be another game dominated by pitching. 

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