Columbia Fireflies Game Notes 5.27 vs Charleston
May 27, 2023 - Carolina League (CarL)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
Los Chicharrones de Columbia continue their series with Los Perros Santos de Charleston tonight at Segra Park at 6:05 pm. RHP David Sandlin (3-0, 3.19 ERA) takes the hill for Columbia and Charleston counters with RHP Yoniel Curet (1-1, 6.17 ERA).
Copa de la Diversion presented by Southern Recipe Small Batch continues at Segra Park tonight! We'll have live music, all fans in attendance will receive free pork rinds and after the game we'll shoot off a dazzling fireworks display. Tickets are still available at FirefliesTickets.com.
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CHICHARRONES HOLD ON IN 5-4 WIN FRIDAY: Los Chicharrones de Columbia filled up the scoreboard early before the bullpen shut down Los Perros Santos de Charleston with four scoreless innings to hang on, winning 5-4 Friday night at Segra Park. Columbia moved ahead in the fourth inning. Brennon McNair roped a lead-off triple to right field then came around on an Omar Florentino sacrifice fly to left, pushing Columbia in front 5-4. Los Chicharrones de Columbia broke through first in the home half of the first. After Jean Ramirez drew a lead-off walk, Omar Hernandez stayed hot with a base knock to set the table for Daniel Vazquez who lined a two RBI single to break the scoreless tie.
COMEBACK KUDRNA: After a tough start to the year, the Royals number two prospect, according to MLB.com, Ben Kudrna has put together three consecutive impressive starts. The righty worked his first quality start of the season May 4 vs Myrtle Beach and prior to allowing a solo homer in the fourth inning May 10 at Salem, had a 14.2 inning scoreless streak. The streak was the longest scoreless streak for a pitcher in the Carolina League this season. He's 3-0 with a 0.87 ERA in four starts this May.
WE'VE GOT THE RUNS: The Fireflies scored their 200th run of the season in yesterday's game vs Charleston. Columbia's most lopsided inning of the season is the fourth, where they have outscored opponents 37-11 on the season. The team has outscored opponents by 46 this season, which is the best run differential in the Carolina League. Down East has the second-highest run differential at 36 and Charleston has the worst run differential at -59 this year.
ONE-RUN FUN: After three-consecutive wins in one-run contests against the Charleston RiverDogs, the Fireflies are now 9-7 in one-run contests this season. That means that 16 of Columbia's first 43 games or 37 percent of their games have been decided by the slimmest margin possible.
I'M LOOKING AT THE MAN IN THE MIRROR: David Sandlin and Frank Mozzicato have gone back-and-forth on the strikeouts leader board for the Carolina League this season. Thursday Mozzicato fanned nine to push his lead to 11 with 64 punchouts this season. Sandlin is second with 53 whiffs on the season.
MAGIC MOZZ: Frank Mozzicato has been on a tear this year. The southpaw is among the Carolina League leaders in nearly every category for a pitcher. After tossing back-to-back quality starts, he leads the League in strikeouts (64), Innings Pitcher (41.1), opposing batting average (.156) and is fifth in ERA (2.18) and sixth in WHIP (1.06).
PARAMOUNT PITCHING: The Fireflies pitching staff has been among the top pitching staffs in all of Minor League Baseball this season. After allowing only three earned runs in the first 28 innings of this series with the Charleston RiverDogs, the Fireflies team ERA is 3.12, that mark is second in the league, trailing Down East, who holds a 3.05 mark. It is the third-best team ERA in all of Minor League Baseball though. The only non-Carolina League team with a better ERA is the Tulsa Drillers, who have a ridiculous 2.79 ERA in their first 43 games of the season.
SEARS-ING THE COMPETITION: Ben Sears has hit a hot stretch, notching three consecutive appearances with a save. The righty has a 1.80 ERA in May across 10 innings in five appearances.
Carolina League Stories from May 27, 2023
- Nats Secure Series Win Over Red Sox - Fredericksburg Nationals
- RiverDogs and Fireflies Postponed Saturday at Segra Park - Charleston RiverDogs
- Fireflies Game May 27, 2023 Washed Away - Columbia Fireflies
- GreenJackets, Cannon Ballers Postponed Due to Saturday Storm - Augusta GreenJackets
- Mudcats and Wood Ducks Postponed Saturday - Carolina Mudcats
- Columbia Fireflies Game Notes 5.27 vs Charleston - Columbia Fireflies
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