Mudcats Game Notes
July 8, 2014 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release
The Series vs Lynchburg -- The Mudcats embark on their second trip to Lynchburg, Virginia this week. The Mudcats had a successful business trip the first time around, sweeping the Hillcats by a combined 23-13 score. For the season, the Mudcats have swept Hillcats twice (home and away) and own a .312 collective batting average through 10 games. Carolina leads the overall series 27-23 and the team holds a 14-10 record at City Stadium.
Last Time Out -- The Carolina Mudcats uncorked two wild pitches and committed three passed balls in a 5-4 setback against the Lynchburg Hillcats on Monday night at Calvin Falwell Field. The loss was the first for Carolina in Lynchburg this year and their third straight since July 4. Shawn Morimando absorbed a tough defeat, allowing four runs on a season-high seven hits in just four innings of work. James Roberts paced the offense with two hits. Joe Sever and Alex Monsalve tallied a RBI as well.
Tonight's Pitching Probables -- Ryan Merritt gets the ball for the Mudcats tonight and hopes to end the recent slide. Through 15 outings, the southpaw owns 11 quality starts (73%) and dealt seven innings or more eight times, including four straight. Merritt leads the CL in wins (9), ERA (1.65), WHIP (0.91) and average against (.199). He's second for innings pitched (98.1). Lynchburg counters with their left-hander, Daniel Watts. Originally drafted by the Diamondbacks in the 32nd round in 2012, Watts signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Braves this year. He is 0-2 in three starts with the Hillcats and carries a 6.08 ERA.
Transactions -- The Cleveland Indians activated Todd Hankins from the disabled list for tonight's game in Lynch- burg. The infielder turned outfielder has been sidelined with a right oblique strain that he suffered on June 23. Prior to the injury, Hankins was one of the staples of the lineup. He hit over .300 for the months of May and June. The Indians also promoted right-hander Cole Sulser to the Akron Rubberducks. Sulser is expected to start for Akron in their weekend series against Trenton. The Californian is 3-8 with the Mudcats and shouldered a 5.09 ERA in 17 starts.
Down to the Wire -- The Carolina Mudcats have been involved in more than their share of close games this year. In fact, 47 of their 86 games have been decided by two runs or less. Monday's loss was their 13th in one-run games this year. The team is 21-26 in games decided by two or less, but had won six of seven before Monday.
Give 'Em Heller -- Pitcher Ben Heller made his Advanced-A debut with the Mudcats on Monday night and tossed a scoreless inning with two strikeouts against the Hillcats. Going back to his time in Lake County, the right-hander has not surrendered a run in his last 11 appearances and has totaled 35 strikeouts. Heller was 4-1 with a 2.43 ERA in 28 appears for the Captains. He collected 64 strikeouts in 37 innings pitched.
Trending Up -- The addition of Heller to Carolina's bullpen should only help a bullpen that's been on the rise of late. Jacob Lee allowed an unearned run in three innings on Monday, but has held opposing offenses without an earned run since June 10, a span of seven appearances (11.2 IP). He's dropped his ERA from 5.33 to 3.40. Like- wise, Clayton Cook has allowed just one run over his last four appearances (10.1 IP).
Funky Cold Medina -- Yhoxian Medina extended his hitting streak to nine games with a double in the first inning on Sunday afternoon. During his streak, the infielder is hitting .421 (16x38) with seven extra-base hits. He has scored 10 times and brought around three. Coupled with four walks, Medina owns a .476 OBP during this stretch.
Muddy's Tales -- The Mudcats return home to host the Winston-Salem Dash for four, fun-filled days. The series kicks off with Fireworks Friday, a 7 p.m. start, on July 11th. The SweetRight Brothers will be in town to entertain fans of all ages for Saturday's 6 p.m. tilt. Kids Run the Bases, presented by Amerigas, returns with a 2 p.m. mati- nee on Sunday, July 13 and the series wraps up with a special 11 a.m. start on Monday, July 14. Tickets can be purchased by calling (919) 269-2287 or by visiting carolinamudcats.com.
Carolina League Stories from July 8, 2014
- Frederick Holds off Salem in Extras - Salem Red Sox
- Dash Rally Back from Six, Claim Share of First Place - Winston-Salem Dash
- Hillcats Game Suspended Due to Power Outage in Sixth - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Mudcats and Hillcats Suspended in 6th - Carolina Mudcats
- Rain Forces Postponement of Tuesday Night's Contest Between Blue Rocks And P-Nats - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- P-Nats and Wilmington Forced Into Doubleheader - Potomac Nationals
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes (July 8 vs. Myrtle Beach) - Winston-Salem Dash
- Pelicans Game Notes: 7:00 p.m. at Winston-Salem - July 8, 2014 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Wilmington Blue Rocks Game Notes - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- P-Nats To Host Hockey Night With The Washington Capitals - Potomac Nationals
- Mudcats Game Notes - Carolina Mudcats
- Salem Red Sox Game Notes - Salem Red Sox
- Spurrier, Swinney Back Pelicans' Coaches vs. Cancer Night - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
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