CarL1 Down East Wood Ducks

June 25 Game Information

Published on June 25, 2019 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Down East Wood Ducks News Release


The Woodies (2-3, 52-23) and Mudcats (3-2, 42-32) play game two of their three game series tonight at 7 p.m. Righty Alex Eubanks (5-2, 2.98) will make the start for the Woodies, while Carolina has yet to name a starter for the contest. The pregame show will begin at 6:50 p.m. on 960AM The Bull and online on 960thebull.com as well as on the MiLB First Pitch and TuneIn Radio Apps. Complete game notes are attached.

LAST TIME OUT: The Wood Ducks struck for five runs in the first two innings, and were able to make it hold up in a 5-4 win over the Mudcats. Yanio Perez doubled home a pair of runs, while Sam Huff and JP Marti-nez also had RBI hits. Ryan Dorow reached base three times and stole home to open the scoring as part of a double steal. Collin Wiles picked up the win in his first start since April 2018 and Joe Kuzia locked down his seventh save.

FIRST THINGS FIRST: The Wood Ducks 52-23 (.693) record is the second best in all of Minor League baseball, as is their +105 run differential, while their 29 road wins are 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.

A HALF FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS: The Down East Wood Ducks became just the sixth team in Carolina League history to finish a half with a winning percentage of .700 or better, while their 50 wins are the second most in any half in league history:

1. 1980 Peninsula (1st) 51-19 .729

2. 2019 DOWN EAST (1st) 50-20 .714

T3. 1982 Peninsula (2nd) 49-20 .710

T3. 1983 Lynchburg (1st) 49-20 .710

5. 1994 Wilmington (1st) 48-20 .706

6. 1980 Peninsula (2nd) 49-21 .700

GOING STREAKING: DIOSBEL ARIAS has now reached base safely in 23 consecutive games, becoming the fourth Wood Duck this year to tally a streak of 15 or more. Over that stretch Arias is batting .342 with an OBP of .495, including 21 walks. His streak is the longest active in the Carolina League. Ryan Dorow is now also riding an on-base streak of 17 straight, batting just .230 but boasting an OBP of .390 over that span. His streak is the second longest active.

WALK THIS WAY: The Wood Ducks have been increasingly patient at the plate as the year has worn on. They walked 89 times in 26 games in the month of April and 94 times in 29 games in May. However, in the moth of June the Woodies have walked 93 times in just 20 games, including a season high nine walks worked on Sunday against Salem.

FANTASTIC FIRSTS: The Wood Ducks have jumped out in front early and often this year, outscoring opponents 49-19 in the first inning of play. The Wood Ducks have scored first in 50 of their 75 game this season, going 41-9 (.820). Down East has scored first in 20 of their last 25 games.

CUP OF JOE: Joe Kuzia has been tremendous out of the bullpen for the Wood Ducks since joining the club May 9. He has converted all seven save opportunities in addition to picking up a trio of wins in relief. Kuzia has not allowed a run over his last 18 innings, striking out 15, while allowing just 12 base runners over that stretch. He now boasts a 0.38 ERA to go along with a WHIP of 0.89.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRENGTH: It hasn't just been the Wood Ducks who have performed well this season, the Rangers organization as a whole has been among the best

1. Tampa Bay Rays 204-151 .575

2. TEXAS RANGERS 203-151 .573

3. Pittsburgh Pirates 196-154 .560

EXTRA-EXTRA: The Wood Ducks improved to 7-1 in extra-inning games with their victory over Myrtle Beach on Sunday. This year in extra frames the Wood Ducks have scored the inherited runner 9 out of 10 times, while holding opponents to just 4-for-10.

LAY IT DOWN: The Wood Ducks have produced 30 bunt hits through the first 73 games of the season. Hasuan Viera tallied his first against the Red Sox, Saturday, while Yonny Hernandez leads the way with 11 bunt hits.

SHOWTIME: Former Wood Duck Joe Palumbo made his Major League debut for the Texas Rangers, June 8, going four innings, and giving up four runs on six hits, while striking out four. Peter Fairbanks was also called up by the club, June 8, and made his debut June 9, 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.

HI, NICE TO MEET YOU: Between promotions and injuries there has been a lot of turnover in the Wood Ducks roster this season. When Collin Wiles took the mound for the Woodies on Monday night he became the 41st different player to suit up for Down East this year.

Check out the Down East Wood Ducks Statistics

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Carolina League Stories from June 25, 2019


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