Aquino Totals 7 Ks in Streak-Snapping Victory
June 15, 2023 - Carolina League (CarL)
Carolina Mudcats News Release
AUGUSTA, S.C. - Kay-Lan Nicasia drove in two with a single in the third, Gregory Barrios drove in two with a triple in the fourth and starter Patricio Aquino struck out seven over four and 1/3 no-hit innings as the Carolina Mudcats snapped an eight-game losing streak with a decisive 7-2 victory versus the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday night at SRP Park.
The Mudcats (31-27) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the third with a bases loaded balk and Nicasia's two-run single. The lead then grew to 6-0 in the fourth on Barrios' two-run triple and another run-scoring balk. Hedbert Perez finished the offensive outburst with a RBI single later in the game in the eighth.
Both run-scoring balks across the third and fourth were charged to Augusta (29-31) starter Jhancarlos Lara. Lara (L,2-4) pitched through the fourth with three walks, three strikeouts and seven hits allowed.
Carolina's breakout game at the plate came in support of a stellar pitching performance that saw Aquino and relievers Jeison Pena and Yujanyer Herrera carry a no-hitter through the sixth. Herrera (W, 2-3) lost the no-hit bid, however, in the seventh after allowing a single to Ethan Workinger and a two-run home run to Jeremy Celedino.
Aquino fell two outs shy of earning the victory while working through four and 1/3 no-hit innings. He also matched a season-high with seven strikeouts and walked just one batter while reaching 64 pitches (48 strikes). He was followed by Pena who finished the fifth while working around two walks.
HOME RUNS:
Augusta: Celedonio, J (11, 7th inning off Herrera, 1 on, 0 out).
TOP PERFORMERS - BATTERS:
Barrios, SS (Carolina): 2-for-5, 2 R, 1 3B, 2 RBI
Lara, CF (Carolina): 2-for-4, 1 R, 1 2B
Perez, H, LF (Carolina): 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI
Nicasia, RF (Carolina): 1-for-4, 2 RBI
Celedonio, J, RF (Augusta): 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Workinger, CF (Augusta): 1-for-4, 1 R
TOP PERFORMERS - PITCHERS:
Aquino (Carolina): 4.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO
Pena, Je (Carolina): 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 0 SO
Herrera (W, 2-3) (Carolina): 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO
Rodriguez, E (Augusta): 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
Joseph (Augusta): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO
Alesandro (Augusta): 2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO
SCORING:
Mudcats 3rd (Mudcats 3, GreenJackets 0) -- Blayberg Diaz singles through the hole at shortstop. Gregory Barrios flies out to Tyler Collins. Luis Lara singles to center field, Blayberg Diaz to 2nd. Hedbert Perez walks, Blayberg Diaz to 3rd; Luis Lara to 2nd. Blayberg Diaz scores on a balk; Luis Lara advances to 3rd on a balk; Hedbert Perez advances to 2nd on a balk. Kay-Lan Nicasia singles to right field, Luis Lara scores; Hedbert Perez scores. Jadher Areinamo grounds into double play, Ambioris Tavarez to E.J. Exposito to Justin Janas, Kay-Lan Nicasia out at 2nd, Jadher Areinamo out at 1st.
(3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB)
Mudcats 4th (Mudcats 6, GreenJackets 0) -- Jheremy Vargas flies out to Tyler Collins. Quinton Low singles to left field. Jesus Parra singles up the middle, Quinton Low to 2nd. Blayberg Diaz pops out to Justin Janas. Gregory Barrios triples down the left-field line, Quinton Low scores; Jesus Parra scores. Gregory Barrios scores on a balk. Luis Lara doubles down the right-field line. Hedbert Perez flies out to Ethan Workinger.
(3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB)
GreenJackets 7th (Mudcats 6, GreenJackets 2) -- Ethan Workinger singles up the middle. Jeremy Celedonio hits a home run to right field on a 1-1 pitch, Ethan Workinger scores. E.J. Exposito strikes out swinging. Nick Clarno walks. Cory Acton struck out looking. Andrew Keck lines out to Hedbert Perez.
(2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB)
Mudcats 8th (Mudcats 7, GreenJackets 2) -- Pitcher Change: Ronaldo Alesandro replaces Elison Joseph. Blayberg Diaz grounds out, E.J. Exposito to Justin Janas. Gregory Barrios singles to deep shortstop. Gregory Barrios steals 2nd base. Gregory Barrios steals 3rd base. Luis Lara flies out to Tyler Collins. Hedbert Perez singles to center field, Gregory Barrios scores. Hedbert Perez caught stealing 2nd base, Nick Clarno to Francisco Floyd.
(1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB)
Single-game tickets, season ticket packages, mini plans, group options, as well as luxury suite packages and DRB Homes Sky Lounge reservations in the US Foods Club Level are also still available now by visiting www.carolinamudcats.com, by calling (919) 269-2287, and by visiting the Five County Stadium front office in Zebulon.
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