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CarL1 Down East Wood Ducks

June 16 Game Information

June 16, 2019 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Down East Wood Ducks News Release


The first half concludes Sunday, with the finale of the four game series between Down East (49-20) and Myrtle Beach (21-45). Right-hander Alex Eubanks (5-2, 3.35) will make the start for the Woodies, opposed by Pelicans righty Erick Leal (0-1, 8.10). First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m., and the pregame show will begin at 5:50 p.m. on 960AM The Bull, and online at 960thebull.com as well as on the MiLB First Pitch and TuneIn Radio Apps.

LAST TIME OUT: The Wood Ducks fell for just the third time in their last 20 games, 3-1 to the Pelicans, as they were held to just four hits on the night. Yohel Pozo had two of the hits, driving in Ryan Dorow who dou-bled in the fourth to account for all of the offense. Reid Anderson struck out six but allowed eight hits, leading to three runs (two earned) over six innings. Francisco Villegas worked two scoreless in relief.

FIRST THINGS FIRST: The Wood Ducks 49-19 (.721) record is the best in all of Minor League baseball, as is their +113 run differential, while their 27 road wins are also the most in MiLB.

MERRY CLINCHMAS: The Wood Ducks will be heading to the Carolina League playoffs for the second time in three seasons. The Wood Ducks won a share of the Mills Cup in 2017 when they claimed the second half crown with a record of 38-32.

STINGY STAFF: The Wood Ducks pitching staff has worked to a 1.51 ERA in the month of June, allowing just 21 earned runs in 14 games. They have combined to strike out 103 while walking just 39. The Woodies have only twice allowed more than two earned runs in a game this month.

KING OF THE HILL: John King has been outstanding for the Wood Ducks since being promoted on May 10. King picked up his first win Wednesday with a complete game, allowing just one unearned run against Potomac. King has struck out 32 while walking just four (8.0 K/BB) in six starts this year, while opponents are hitting just .176 against him. King's complete game was the first 9-inning complete game in the Carolina League this season, and second by a Wood Duck all-time, with the other coming from Richelson Pena, May 26, 2017 at Winston-Salem.

MASHING MARTINEZ: JP Martinez blasted his seven home run for the Woodies, and eighth overall this season Wednesday against Potomac. Martinez has now hit six homers over his last 19 games played, raising his slugging percentage from .239 to .372 over that span. Martinez now sports an isolated power of .178, despite hitting for a .191 average. Last year Martinez homered eight times in 60 games for Short-Season Spokane.

THE LATZ EFFECT: After struggling to start with the Wood Ducks, Jake Latz has turned it around, giving up just two earned runs over his last 38.2 innings of work, and winning five of his last six starts. He has lowered his ERA from 10.38 to 1.72 over that stretch, and has struck out 47 while walking just 13 in his las seven outings. The Woodies are 8-2 overall in his 10 starts. He was named the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week for May 27-June 2.

BAHR NONE!: Jason Bahr has been incredibly consistent for the Wood Ducks this season, giving up two earned runs or fewer in all 11 starts. He picked up his sixth win of the season on Tuesday to lead all Wood Ducks starters, and his 1.71 ERA leads the Carolina League, as does his 1.09 WHIP. Bahr was named a Carolina League All-Star on Tuesday.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING: Down East has won 49 games this season, with one game to play. The all-time Carolina League wins record for a half is 51, set by the Peninsula Pilots in 1980. The Wood Ducks will become just the sixth team in Carolina League history to finish with a winning percentage of .700 of better. No team had won more than 47 games in a half since the Wood Ducks joined the league in 2017.

POZO PROVIDES THE PUNCH: Woodies catcher Yohel Pozo has put the ball in play all season, striking out just 15 times in 49 games played this year, the fewest strikeouts for any Wood Duck who has played in at least 25 games. His strikeout rate is just 7.7% this season, the third lowest mark in the Carolina League. By comparison, he has 14 multi-hit games this year.

ARIAS ABOARD: DIOSBEL ARIAS has now reached base safely in 17 consecutive games, becoming the fourth Wood Duck this year to tally a streak of 15 or more. Over that stretch Arias is batting .333 with an OBP of .465, including 13 walks. His streak is the longest active in the Carolina League.

FANTASTIC FIRSTS: The Wood Ducks have jumped out in front early and often this year, outscoring opponents 46-18 in the first inning of play. The Wood Ducks have scored first in 47 of their 69 game this season, going 39-8 (.830). Down East has scored first in 17 of their last 21 games.

MAGNIFICENT MAY: The Wood Ducks finished the month 20-9, their highest win total in a month in franchise history. They wrapped up the month 21 games above .500 and with a 7.5 lead in the Southern Divi-sion. They enjoyed three win streaks of 4+ games during May, including six straight victories to close the month.

SHOWTIME: Former Wood Duck Joe Palumbo made his Major League debut for the Texas Rangers, Saturday, going four innings, and giving up four runs on six hits, while striking out four. Peter Fairbanks was also called up by the club, Saturday, and made his debut Sunday, throwing two scoreless innings and striking out three in relief. They are the fifth and sixth Wood Duck in franchise history to make their Major League debut, joining Ricardo Rodriguez, Jeffrey Springs, C.D. Pelham, and Brett Martin.

RAGS AT THE HELM: Corey Ragsdale takes over as skipper for the Wood Ducks in 2019. Ragsdale will remain the Rangers Minor League Field Coordinator, while assuming a managerial seat for the first time since 2015, when he led the Hickory Crawdads to a South Atlantic League Championship, the second of his career.

TOP-30 in Kinston: The Woodies now have seven Top-30 prospects as ranked by MLB Pipeline: 2. J.P. Martinez, 4. Anderson Tejeda, 5. Bubba Thompson, 6. Leody Taveras, 19. Diosbel Arias, 20. A.J. Alexy, and 21. Sam Huff.




Carolina League Stories from June 16, 2019


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.

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