CarL1 Carolina Mudcats

Mudcats Split Sunday Twin Bill in Wilmington

May 22, 2016 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release


WILMINGTON, DE - Max Povse struck out six and allowed just one unearned run over five innings pitched while leading the Mudcats to a 5-1 victory in game one of Sunday's doubleheader in Wilmington. Game two, however, went to the Blue Rocks as they scored six runs on nine hits against starter Ryan Clark while defeating the Mudcats 6-4.

The Mudcats (17-25) finished with a twin bill split on Sunday at Frawley Stadium in Wilmington against the Blue Rocks (13-29). Carolina is now 2-4 over six games in the club's current seven game road trip.

Povse (3-2, 2.66) earned the game one victory after scattering five hits, striking out six and allowing just one unearned run over five. He kept the Blue Rocks scoreless over the first two innings before seeing an unearned run score against him in the third.

The Mudcats trailed 1-0 after the third, but then went on to take advantage of an error filled fifth while scoring four unearned runs to take the lead. All six of the combined runs in game one were unearned on Sunday. Wilmington third baseman Wander Franco was charged with four fielding errors in game one and was one short of matching a Carolina League record for errors in a game.

Foster Griffin started for the Blue Rocks and, like Povse, pitched through the fifth with six strikeouts. He also allowed two hits, walked two and allowed four unearned runs in his game one start. Jacob Bodner followed Griffin (0-2, 2.38) out of the bullpen and allowed an unearned run in the sixth while walking three and striking out two.

Griffin held the Mudcats without a hit through the fourth before Jordan Edgerton started the fifth with a bunt single. The Mudcats went on to collect two hits and took advantage of three errors in the inning while scoring four times.

Keith Curcio, Reed Harper, Joey Meneses and Ryan Gebhardt each drove in a run in the game one victory. They also batted one through four in the game one lineup. Braxton Davidson, Edgerton and Erison Mendez each had one hit while batting sixth, seventh and ninth respectively.

Newly added reliever A.J. Minter pitched the sixth and seventh for the Mudcats and worked through two perfect frames while striking out four.

Game two started with Carolina scoring twice in the first, but the Blue Rocks came back with five in their half of the opening inning and led the rest of the way. Brandon Downes, Franco and Andrew Bailey each had scoring hits in the first for the Blue Rocks.

Joseph Odom was 2-for-4 and Harper was 1-for-3 with two RBI in game two for the Mudcats. Gebhardt also drove in a run for Carolina in the game two loss.

Clark (0-4, 6.64) gave up five runs and four hits in the first, but allowed just one more run on five other hits the rest of the way. He finished his five inning start with three walks and three strikeouts while throwing 88 pitches while taking the loss.

Derek Gordon made a spot start for the Blue Rocks in game two and allowed four runs (three earned) over two and 2/3 innings pitched. He allowed two runs in the first, one in the second and one in the third while letting the Mudcats get within one of the lead at 5-4 in the third. Wilmington answered back with a run in their half of he third and led 6-4 before the fourth.

Wilmington's Luis Rico relieved Gordon in the third and left an inherited runner on base. He went on to pitch through the next two innings with just one hit and one walk allowed. Rico (1-0, 0.00) struck out four (including all three in the fifth) and kept the Mudcats scoreless while earning the victory in his first appearance of the season. Matt Alvarez then worked the final two innings for Wilmington and struck out three over his scoreless appearance.

The Mudcats left eight men on base in the game two loss and were 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Zach Quintana pitched the final frame for Carolina and allowed one hit.

The series concludes on Monday night in Wilmington with the first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at Frawley Satdium. Enderson Franco (3-2, 6.00) will start for the Mudcats against Wilmington's Zach Lovvorn (0-5, 3.60).

The Mudcats return to action at Five County Stadium on Tuesday, May 24 for game one of three against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and game one of a seven game home stand. The next home stand will feature Thirsty Thursday presented by Flowers Plantation on May 26, Friday Night Fireworks on May 27 and Souvenir T-Shirt Giveaway Night on Saturday, May 28.

The weekend series beginning on Friday, May 27 is against the Frederick Keys and will take place during Beach Weekend at Five County Stadium. The Mudcats will then conclude the next home stand on Memorial Day, May 30 with a POW/MIA chair unveiling and matinee start time.

Full, half and mini plan season tickets as well as group ticket packages and individual game tickets are currently available by contacting a front office representative at (919) 269-CATS (2287) or by visiting www.carolinamudcats.com.

The Carolina Mudcats are the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. First established in 1991, the two-time Southern League Champion Carolina Mudcats are in their 26th consecutive season of baseball at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C.

Check out the Carolina Mudcats Statistics



Carolina League Stories from May 22, 2016


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.

OurSports Central