Mudcats Finish Three Game Sweep in Frederick
Published on June 17, 2015 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release
FREDERICK, MD - Jose Briceno broke a 2-2 tie in the fifth with a solo home run, Sean Godfrey extended the lead with a solo shot of his own in the same inning and Jacob Schrader broke the game wide open with a three run triple in the eighth as the Mudcats finished a three game sweep of the Keys with a 9-3 win at Nymeo Field in Frederick on Wednesday night.
Brandon Barker (W, 3-1, 2.93 ERA) started for the Mudcats (33-32) and earned the win after holding the Keys to two runs on six hits over five and 2/3 innings pitched. Mitch Horacek (L, 4-7, 3.96 ERA) allowed both fifth inning home runs and took the loss for the Keys (31-35).
The Mudcats improved to 7-0 against the Keys this season and earned their third sweep of the year. The win also pushed Carolina to a game above .500 for the first time since they were 19-18 on May 21.
Keith Curcio put the Mudcats out front first with a RBI single in the third. He also had a single in the first and was 2-for-4 in the game. Dustin Peterson extended the lead with a sacrifice fly and Carolina led 2-0 after three. Briceno started the third by reaching on an error and both runs allowed by Keys' starter Mitch Horacek were unearned in the inning.
The Keys came back and tied the game in the fourth after getting a solo home run from Tucker Nathans and a two-out RBI double from Austin Wynns. Barker allowed three hits and two runs in the fourth. He had previously held the Keys to just one hit over the first three innings.
Briceno and Godfrey then broke the tie with solo home runs in the fifth and the Mudcats took the lead again at 4-2. Horacek allowed both home runs and left after pitching through the fifth. He allowed four runs (two earned), walked four and struck out four in the loss.
Briceno's home run was his first since returning from the disabled list and his second in June. Godfrey also hit a home run in game two of the series on Tuesday night. His home run in the previous game came on the first pitch thrown by Kevin Gausman. Wednesday's solo shot came in the fifth off Horacek and extended the Mudcats lead to 4-2. The Mudcats had two home runs on Monday night, three on Tuesday and finished with seven home runs in the series.
Barker pitched into sixth and allowed just two runs on six hits over five and 2/3 innings. He left with two outs and with two on in the sixth after a comebacker hit his leg. Caleb Dirks followed Barker and left both inherited runners on base while facing just one batter in the inning.
Barker and Dirks held the two run lead through the sixth and Dirks carried that same lead through the seventh. The Mudcats then opened things up with a five run eighth, including the two-out, bases loaded, three-run triple from Schrader. Reed Harper had a run scoring squeeze bunt and Carlos Franco had a RBI double in the eighth as Carolina took a 9-2 lead.
All five eighth inning runs were allowed by reliever Jimmy Yacabonis of the Keys, however, only one was earned. Yacabonis followed Austin Urban after he kept the Mudcats scoreless in the sixth and seventh innings. Cody Wheeler finished the game for the Keys and pitched a scoreless ninth.
Reliever Andy Otero worked a scoreless eighth and struck out two. Richie Tate pitched the final frame for the Mudcats and allowed a run and two hits in his inning of work. He also walked two and struck out one while finishing the game.
The Mudcats continue their road trip on Thursday night with game one of four game series at Pfitzner Stadium in Potomac against the Nationals. LHP Blair Walters gets the game one start on Thursday while RHP John Simms is scheduled to start for Potomac. The first pitch in Potomac is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
All games air on the Mudcats Radio Network, The Big Dawg 98.5 FM, Rock City 99.3 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. Full season ticket packages, half season ticket packages, 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 in 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.
Carolina League Stories from June 17, 2015
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- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes (June 17 vs. Myrtle Beach) - Winston-Salem Dash
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