CarL1 Carolina Mudcats

Mudcats Game Notes

Published on July 9, 2014 under 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 -- Heavy thunderstorms and a power outage brought a halt to Tuesday's game with two down in the last of the sixth inning. The Carolina Mudcats had just tied the game 3-3 on a solo shot by LeVon Washington in the top of the frame. Ryan Merritt surrendered three runs on four hits in the second inning, but settled in to retire 14 straight before the storm hit. Todd Hankins made an immediate impact upon his return, going 2x2 with a double, walk and a run scored, before leaving the game as scheduled after five innings. Tuesday's game will re- sume prior to tonight's originally scheduled game.

Tonight's Pitching Probables -- Michael Peoples will start tonight's originally scheduled game. The right-hander has pitched well as of late, winning his last two outings. He pitched five innings in his last start against Lynch- burg, holding the Hillcats to a run on three hits depite four walks. On the year, Peoples sits 5-7 with a 4.66 ERA. Lynchburg counters with Jarrett Miller. The right-hander is 4-6 with a 4.25 ERA across 17 starts. He has allowed two or more runs in each of his last 10 starts.

Transactions -- The Cleveland Indians activated Todd Hankins from the disabled list on Tuesday. 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 week- end 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.

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Carolina League Stories from July 9, 2014


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