Lamb rolls through 6 innings in Kinston, NC

With my son getting his first start on the road in Kinston, NC, I honestly had some extra nerves keeping me on edge throughout the day. Some pitchers only throw well on their home mound, while others really don’t seem to care. Sure glad he falls into the latter of the two categories.

John Lamb had his first Carolina League start away from Wilmington, DE tonight and he was up to the challenge against one of the leagues toughest teams to play in their home park. The Kinston Indians, High Class A team of the Cleveland Indians, has been extremely hard to beat in the historic ballpark.

Lamb and the Wilmington Blue Rocks played well enough to hold of the 9th inning rally by the Indians to win by a final score of 3-2. Keaton, the first Blue Rocks reliever, got the official win taking his record to 2-0 out of the bullpen. Bowden picked up his 5th save of the year by getting the last two outs of the game with runners in scoring position.

Lamb pitched the first 6 innings while facing a total of 23 batters. He gave up 4 hits, with 1 earned run, struck out 7 and walked 2. Although Lamb, whom might not agree with this overall analysis of his performance, really only made one bad pitch to Karexon Sanchez, from Venezuela, that left the yard.

Lamb managed to get out of trouble a couple of times during his performance that simply demonstrates his ability to work with, or without, baserunners. He managed to keep his Carolina League Earned Run Average at 1.50 through his first three starts as the youngest ball player in the Advanced A level professional baseball league.

Needless to say the nerves settled down in the household as the game progressed and the ball was handed to the Blue Rocks bullpen, leaving John Lamb with a no decision effort.

Good luck Blue Rocks with the rubber match tomorrow night before heading back home to Wilmington, DE.

– – – James Lamb