Salem, VA – Entering the ninth inning down three runs, things did not look good for the Wilmington Blue Rocks in Salem, VA on Thursday night. But after blowing a narrow one-run lead, the Rocks offense exploded for four runs and southpaw Gilbert De La Vara (1-2) tossed a scoreless bottom nine for a 5-4 victory. Josh Johnson tied the game with a two-run triple in the ninth, and Jeff Howell knocked him in for the game winner. It marks both the Rocks’ (2-5) first road victory and first one-run win on the season as the Blue Crew settles for a single win on the three-game set.

The first six Wilmington hitters in the ninth inning reached base against closer Jason Dominguez (0-1). Joe Dickerson led off with a single, Anthony Seratelli walked and Wilver Perez reached on an error that plated Dickerson. With two men on base and trailing 4-2, Johnson hammered a Dominguez pitch into the left-center field gap, and galloped around the bases into third with a slide to draw the Blue Rocks even, 4-4.

Catcher Jeff Howell followed by falling into an 0-2 hole, but rallied to slam a single through the left-side hole of the drawn-in infield, scoring Johnson for what proved to be the game’s winning score.

Blue Rocks starter Matt Kniginyzky left in line for victory after 5.1 splendid one-hit innings. The Ontario native walked a pair and struck out the same number, facing just two over the minimum thanks to a pick off of Mark Ori. The lone hit the 25-year-old surrendered was an infield blow by Ori in the second inning that caromed off Kniginyzky’s leg.

The Blue Rocks open a three-game affair in Lynchburg, VA against the Hillcats on Friday night at 6:05 p.m. Southpaw Everett Teaford (0-0, 2.25) starts for the Blue Rocks against right-hander Jared Hughes (0-1, 3.60).

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:
Joe Dickerson has hit safely in six consecutive games, going 2-for-3 with a walk, two stolen bases and two runs scored.

Josh Johnson finished the game 3-for-4 with three RBIs, a triple and a run scored.

With Thursday’s 11-hit attack, the Blue Rocks are hitting over .200 as a team for the first time this season (.214).