Mudcats Game Notes

August 30, 2014 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release

The Series vs Winston-Salem -- The Mudcats wrap-up the regular season with a three game series against their inner-state rival Winston-Salem this weekend. Carolina broomed the Dash in a four-game series last weekend and could use another sweep to keep postseason hopes alive. The Mudcats have won five in a row in the series and hold a slim 29-28 advantage in the series that dates to Opening Day of 2012. Additionally, Carolina is 16-11 against the Dash in Zebulon.

Last Time Out -- The Lynchburg Hillcats escaped with a 5-4 win in 10 innings on Friday night. The heartbreaker came after the Mudcats rallied three different times, but could never get over the hump. Grant Sides allowed the go-ahead knock to Will Skinner with two away in the final inning. Ryan Merritt overcame an early mistake by the defense to limit the Hillcats to three runs, one earned, across six innings. He struck out eight while taking a no decision.

Tonight's Pitching Probables -- Needing a win to keep the pressure on Salem for the wildcard spot in the South- ern Division, the Mudcats look to the "Alaskan Fireballer" Dylan Baker tonight. The right-hander, who hails from Juneau, Alaska, made his last start against the Dash. He allowed four runs on eight hits across six innings. Baker is 3-2 through eight starts and carries a 4.66 ERA. The Dash counter with Brandon Brennan. The right-hander allowed two runs on six hits to Carolina in his last outing, but finished after 4.2 innings due to pitch count. In five outings, Brennan is 2-0 with a 3.60 ERA.

He Earned His Merritt -- Ryan Merritt made his final start of the 2014 regular season on Friday night, posting his 16th quality start in a no decision. In 25 outings, Merritt pitched through seven innings on 11 occasions. His 2.58 ERA is third overall in the Carolina League and his impressive 0.95 WHIP is tops in Advanced-A. The left-hander set new career highs for a single season with 127 strikeouts and 160.1 innings pitched. Merritt was the first pitch- er to record 13 wins in a season for Carolina since 2000 and only the second in the CL since 2007. Impressively, Merritt finished 6-0 in 14 starts on the road and ended the year without throwing a wild pitch.He was voted a two- time All-Star in the CL this summer, making the start in the Midsummer Classic against the California League.

Muddied Playoff Picture -- The Mudcats trail the Salem Red Sox by 1.0 game for the Southern Division wildcard with three games left. Carolina does not have any head-to-head meetings left with the Red Sox. Salem has four games remaining, including a doubleheader in Wilmington on Saturday. For Carolina to make the postseason, the team must finish with two fewer losses than the Red Sox over the final three days of the regular season. The Mudcats last berth in the postseason was 2008 when they were the Double-A affiliate of the Marlins.

Cardiac 'Cats -- The Mudcats dropped their 26th one-run decision of the year on Friday night. The team has played in an astonishing 74 game decided by two runs or less and 29 of 66 games in the second half were decided by a single tally (13-16 record). The Mudcats are 33-40 in games decided by two or less this year. The team is 14- 14 in games two-run games and 20-26 in one-run contests.

Muddy's Tales -- The Mudcats' final three regular season games will be home against the Winston-Salem Dash. Saturday and Sunday (August 30-31) are scheduled for 6 p.m. with fireworks to follow. Monday's season finale will be a special noon start. Tickets can be purchased and more information available by calling (919) 269-2287 or by visiting carolinamudcats.com.

• Discuss this story on the Carolina League message board...

Carolina League Stories from August 30, 2014

• Cordell Grand Slam Puts Birds One Win Away - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• Blue Rocks Offense Quiet In Doubleheader Sweep By Salem - Wilmington Blue Rocks
• Cordell's Grand Slam Stuns Hillcats, 5-2 - Lynchburg Hillcats
• Keys Keep Rolling, Take Third Straight - Frederick Keys
• Salem Sweeps Wilmington to Clinch Playoff Berth - Salem Red Sox
• P-Nats Drop Third Straight, Edged by Frederick 4-3 - Potomac Nationals
• Dash Edge Playoff-Hopeful Carolina in Thriller - Winston-Salem Dash
• Baker's Gem Not Enough as Mudcats Fall to Dash - Carolina Mudcats
• Pelicans Game Notes: 7:05 p.m. vs. Lynchburg Hillcats - August 30, 2014 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• Blue Rocks Game Notes: August 30, 2014 - Wilmington Blue Rocks
• Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
• Mudcats Game Notes - Carolina Mudcats
• Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes (August 30 at Carolina) - Winston-Salem Dash
• Salem Red Sox Game Notes - Salem Red Sox
• RHP Frank Montas activated from disabled list - Winston-Salem Dash
• Blackmar Receives Steve Bechler Award - Frederick Keys
• Bassitt Becomes 23rd Dash Alumnus to Reach Majors - Winston-Salem Dash

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Carolina Mudcats Stories

• Mudcats Squash Augusta Rally to Take Series Lead
• Nicasia Homers Again as Mudcats Even Series
• Rodriguez Goes Five Strong in Mudcats Defeat
• Mudcats Claim Fifth Straight Victory to Close out Down East Series
• Monster Fourth Inning Powers Mudcats to Fourth Straight Win