Mudcats Game Notes
June 23, 2014 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release
The Series vs Myrtle Beach -- The Mudcats host the Myrtle Beach Pelicans for the second time this season. The Pelicans took the first set by winning three-of-four. Myrtle Beach has proved a tough matchup for the Mudcats since the clubs began play in 2012. The Pelicans boast a 16-9 record in Zebulon and lead the overall series 34-15. Carolina owns one series win against the Pelicans that came in 2012.
Last Time Out -- The Mudcats backed Ryan Merritt as the southpaw weaved a gem in Sunday's 6-1 dismantling of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Merritt hurled eight innings, allowing a run on three hits, for his seventh victory. The Mudcats collected 12 hits. Yandy Diaz provided the knockout blow in the seventh inning on a three-run double to the left corner.
Tonight's Pitching Probables -- Michael Peoples gets his turn to start in a piggyback rotation with D.J. Brown. Peoples allowed three runs on seven hits in relief of Brown in his last appearance on June 15. Peoples is 3-7 over 13 appearances and shoulders a 5.24 ERA. Tonight is expected to be the 15th appearance, fourth in relief, for Brown. The right-hander is 2-4 with a 4.06 ERA. Myrtle Beach counters with left-hander Luis Parra. Parra is 0-2 against the Mudcats, having allowed 15 runs, 12 earned, on 15 hits in 8 2/3 innings. Overall, he is 5-4 with a 4.38 ERA.
Top Performer -- The Carolina League named Ryan Merritt the Pitcher of the Week for his efforts on Sunday af- ternoon against the Pelicans. The southpaw from Celina, Texas, held Myrtle Beach to four base runners across eight innings. He struckout five and walked one. The Pelicans managed their run across with two out in the eighth. Merritt's start tied a career-long. He leads the CL for ERA (1.61) and WHIP (0.93). His seven wins are tied for the most in the CL and he ranks second to teammate Shawn Morimando for Batting Average Against (.199).
Quality Starts -- Carolina starters own 32 quality starts in 71 games (45%). The Mudcats are 20-12 when a starter pitches a quality outing. Shawn Morimando and Ryan Merritt lead the Mudcats' hurlers with nine quality starts apiece. The club has received a quality start in five of their last seven games.
Red and Black Attack -- The Mudcats have amassed 56 base hits four games into the second half, the most among Carolina League offenses since the All-Star Break. The team has plated 35 runs during this stretch. That's also a league-high for the last four games. For the year, Carolina's offense has scored 10 or more runs eight times. Todd Hankins leads the pack with eight hits and Yandy Diaz has plated seven during the stretch.
Hankins' Heroics -- Todd Hankins continues to be as hot as the North Carolina temperatures. After hitting a disappointing .149 in April, Hankins has soared his average to .268 on the year by hitting .318 in May and .338 through 16 games in June. The versatile athlete, who's played mostly in center fielder of late, is 14x35 (.400) in his last nine games. He sits second on the team in home runs (5) and RBI (31). Hankins also enjoys the friendly confines of Five County Stadium, owning a .321 home average and all of his home runs have come in Zebulon.
"Money"mando -- One would be hard-pressed to find a pitcher that's been more dominant over the last month than Shawn Morimando. The left-hander has dealt six straight quality starts and sits atop the CL alongside Myrtle Beach's Sam Wolff with seven victories. The Virginian is 2-0 in June with a 1.85 ERA in five starts. The Frederick Keys have suffered at the hands of Morimando as he owns a 4-0 record against the Orioles affiliate and a 1.09 ERA across 24.2 innings.
Muddy's Tales -- The Mudcats welcome the Myrtle Beach Pelicans for three games beginning Sunday, June 21. The 2 p.m. matinee features Kids Run the Bases, presented by Amerigas, following the game. The series continues on Monday with a 7 p.m. start and concludes with Dollar Dog Day and a special 11 a.m. first pitch on Tuesday, June 23 . Tickets can be purchased by calling (919) 269-2287 or by visiting carolinamudcats.com.
Carolina League Stories from June 23, 2014
- Bostick's Tenth Inning Single Pushes Birds past Mudcats - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Odom's Career Night Ends with Walk-Off RBI - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Blue Rocks Flex Muscle in 9-3 Rout of Keys - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Odom, Hillcats Notch Walk-Off Win over Dash - Winston-Salem Dash
- Evans and Gallagher Power Wilmington to Series Win - Frederick Keys
- Missed Opportunities Haunt Mudcats in Loss - Carolina Mudcats
- Ramos and Harper Shine in Rehab Appearances, Nats Win 5-2 - Potomac Nationals
- MLB Rehabers Help P-Nats to Win - Salem Red Sox
- Pelicans Game Notes: 7:00 at Carolina - June 23, 2014 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Salem Red Sox Game Notes - Salem Red Sox
- Mudcats Game Notes - Carolina Mudcats
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Wilmington Blue Rocks Game Notes: June 23, 2014 - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes (June 23 at Lynchburg) - Winston-Salem Dash
- Merritt Named Carolina League Pitcher of the Week - Carolina Mudcats
- Starling Named Carolina League Player of the Week - Wilmington Blue Rocks
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.
