CarL1 Carolina Mudcats

Bywater Tosses Shutout, Schrader and Curcio Homer in 8-0 Win

Published on August 20, 2015 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release


ZEBULON, NC - Jacob Schrader hit solo home run in the second, Keith Curcio hit a three-run home run in the fourth and Matt Bywater struck out seven over seven scoreless innings as the Mudcats defeated Salem 8-0 while completing a three game sweep at Five County Stadium on Thursday night.

Bywater (W, 1-1, 0.00) pitched through the seventh and held the Red Sox (55-67, 17-35) scoreless while striking out seven. He walked one and gave up just three hits while earning his first victory with the Mudcats (64-58, 30-23). It was also his first victory in affiliated minor league baseball since he earned a victory in the Baltimore Orioles farm system with Double-A Bowie on September 3, 2012.

Schrader opened the scoring with moon shot solo home run to left in the second and the Mudcats took a 1-0 lead. He also hit a two-out, two-run double to right in Carolina's four run third while the Mudcats jumped out 5-0. Schrader finished the game 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBI. His second inning home run was his team best 13th of the season and brought Carolina's home run streak to four straight games (matching a season high).

Curcio extended the lead with a three-run home run to straightaway right in the fourth and the Mudcats scored their eighth run against Salem's Trey Ball (L, 8-12, 4.77). The Red Sox starter allowed eight earned runs and eight hits over four innings pitched and took the loss.

Curcio's home run was his fourth of the season and his third since August 13. The homer scored Johan Camargo and Connor Lien after they had both reached on a single and walk respectively. Curcio was 2-for-4 with a run, three RBI and the fourth inning home run for Carolina. Camargo also had two hits and was 2-for-4 with two runs and Lien was 1-for-3 with two runs scored.

Bywater left after the seventh having thrown 91 pitches with 58 for strikes. He was followed by Clayton Cook and Bradley Roney who then combined to work two scoreless frames to finish the shutout. Cook allowed a hit, but kept the Red Sox without a run in the eighth. Roney then finished the game with a scoreless ninth that featured strikeouts against the first and final batter in the inning.

The victory was Carolina's fourth straight overall and third straight in the series. It clinched their seventh sweep of the season and brought them to 10-11 in shutouts.

The Mudcats next play on Friday night in Winston-Salem against the Dash at BB&T Ballpark. Carolina is currently 2.5 games behind the first place Dash in the second half standings.

All games air on the Mudcats Radio Network, The Big Dawg 98.5 FM, Rock City 99.3 FM and Sports 1490 AM. Games are also streamed online at www.carolinamudcats.com via TuneIn Radio and the TuneIn Radio app. TuneIn Radio is the official digital audio partner of MiLB.com.

Individual tickets are now available online at www.carolinamudcats.com, by calling (919) 269-2287 and by visiting the Five County Stadium box office.

Premium Field Level seats are $12.00, Box Seats are $10.00 and Cattail Skybox Seats are $15.00. Flex plans, group tickets and the "Muddy Unreal Deal" plan are also currently available for purchase.

The Carolina Mudcats are the Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. The 2015 "Braves New World" season is the first for the Mudcats as an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and their fourth straight in the historic Carolina League. First established in 1991, the Carolina Mudcats are entering their 25th straight season of baseball at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C. Fans can purchase tickets or find more information by calling (919) 269-2287 or by visiting www.carolinamudcats.com.

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Carolina League Stories from August 20, 2015


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