Showing posts tagged “Camilo Vazquez”

Durham Bulls lose to Louisville Bats, International League playoff series goes to rubber game

Adam Sobsey · 13 Sep 2009, 5:00 AM · 1 Comment


govcup3We got the slugfest we were due for, and the Bulls’ first homer of the series as well (by Michel Hernandez, of all people—his first as a Bull this year and his second overall); but the Bats lived up to their name and outhit Durham, 10-7, on Saturday night. The win forced a fifth and final game of the divisional series.

Both starters fared poorly—Durham’s Rayner Oliveros and Louisville’s Tom Cochran were gone by the third inning, having allowed 11 runs between them in just 3 1/3 innings combined. The difference in the game was probably the two guys who followed them. The Bulls’ Heath Rollins allowed three runs on four hits, including Danny Dorn’s sixth-inning home run, in 4 2/3 innings; by contrast, the Bats’ Lee Tabor threw four scoreless innings of two-hit ball in relief of Cochran. By the seventh inning, it was 8-6, Louisville.

The Bulls mounted rallies late, but they managed only one run during the seventh and eighth innings, when they had two hits and two walks, plus a pair of errors on Louisville pitchers to help move runners around the diamond. The final Durham reliever, Mike Wlodarczyk, surrendered two more runs to Louisville in the eighth to provide the final three-run margin.

Continue reading »

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Perry, Montgomery keep Mudcats in doldrums

Mike Potter · 29 Aug 2009, 11:53 PM · Comment


montperrThe Carolina Mudcats’ road doldrums continued at Montgomery, as the Biscuits rolled to an 8-1 win in Game 2 of their five-game set.

Jason Perry (pictured) hit a three-run homer while Matt Spring added a three-run double for the winners.

Ryan Morse (4-6) was the winning pitcher while Jerry Gil (2-4) took the loss as the Mudcats dropped their third straight.

Carolina got its only run on a bases-loaded walk to Zack Cozart in the third inning. Jose Castro singled twice in the Mudcats’ five-hit attack.

The series continues Sunday at 3:05 p.m., with Camilo Vazquez (5-4, 5.29) going for Carolina against southpaw Brandon Mann (6-8, 4.30).

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Negron, Vazquez help keep Mudcats mathematical

Mike Potter · 25 Aug 2009, 11:56 PM · Comment


catvazqu1FIVE COUNTY STADIUM/ZEBULON The “death march” is on for the Carolina Mudcats.

They go into tonight’s game with the Tennessee Smokies, who are tied for first place in the Southern League’s North Division, with a “tragic number” of two for elimination from the playoff race.

Barring about the biggest miracle in the history of sports that’s inevitable before the end of the season, but it’s a fact that no matter what happens today the Mudcats will go into every game the rest of the year knowing tomorrow’s game could be just for pride.

The Mudcats have yet another transaction as Louisville’s roster gets set for the almost certain Governors’ Cup Playoff spot, as catcher Korey Feiner is now in Triple-A.

There’s not going to be much of a crowd in the house tonight, so let’s grab an Italian sausage and play.

It’s a welcome relief for the home fans, as Camilo Vazquez (pictured) is absolutely dealing to start the game and his teammates are scoring runs. And it all turns out happy this time as the Mudcats hang on for a 7-6 win.

Carolina gets to Hung-Wen Chen for a run in the first as Kris Negron leads off with an infield hit, followed by Jose Castro’s single to center and Yonder Alonzo’s sacrifice fly to left.

And the Mudcats pour on four more runs in the second. Shaun Cumberland leads off with a double to right and steals third. Sean Henry follows with a walk and a steal before Logan Parker’s RBI grounder to short. Jake Long hits an RBI single to left, then moves over on Vazquez’s bunt to third. Negron - an American who after the game tries a clubhouse prank of pretending to need a translator - then blasts the next pitch off the left-field scoreboard to make it 5-0.

The Smokies figure out Vazquez with one out in the sixth. Jim Adduci starts the rally with an infield hit to third, followed by Ty Wright’s RBI double to right. With two out, Tyler Colvin hits an RBI single to right, and after Marquez Smith walks Welington Castillo hits an RBI double to left to chase the starter and bring on Ruben Medina.

Tennessee adds another in the seventh, as pinch-hitter Doug Deeds singles and later scores on Blake Lalli’s two-out single to left.

But Negron and the Mudcats get some insurance in the seventh, as Long leads off with a double to left and scores when Negron blasts a 2-1 offering off the net protecting the numbers on the scoreboard in left.

Carolina turns out to need the insurance because of the Tennessee eighth. With one out, Castillo singles up the middle and then Tony Thomas hits a ball toward second baseman Negron who commits two errors on the play. With runners on second and third pinch hitter Russ Canzler reaches on another error by shortstop Cozart, with two runs scoring to make it 7-6.

And there’s some loud and celebrative - although not particularly tasteful - music in the home clubhouse after the win.

Here’s what they said …

Mudcats manager David Bell: “Negron is really athletic and exciting. Vazquez has been doing a great job, especially since he’s been starting. I think he’s opened some eyes. I like hearing that music. This game’s a lot more fun when you win.”

Negron: “I didn’t think either one of those balls was going to go out. I’m more of a little guy than a home-run hitter.”

Vazquez: “I thought it was a pretty good outing until the sixth. Guys were doing their jobs and making plays behind me. I wanted to finish the inning, but they made the right call in taking me out.”

What does it all mean?

That the Mudcats are still not mathematically eliminated from the race, and that Tennessee is tied for second a game back of division leader West Tenn.

Stars of the game

1. Negron, for his two homers and the infield hit.

2. Vazquez, for the solid start and the win.

3. Castillo, for his three hits including two doubles with an RBI.

Play of the game

Negron’s second homer that provided the game-winning run.

Season series

Tennessee leads 17-12.

Streaks

Carolina: Won 1.

Tennessee: Lost 1.

Transactions

Carolina: C Korey Feiner promoted to Louisville. C Jake Long promoted from Sarasota to Carolina.

Tennessee: none.

On deck

Tennessee at Carolina, Wednesday, 7:15 p.m.

Casey Coleman (R, 13-6, 3.83) vs. Alexander Smit (L, 3-3, 4.06)

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Things don’t get better for Mudcats, who face elimination tonight

Mike Potter · 25 Aug 2009, 12:04 AM · Comment


catalonzoFIVE COUNTY STADIUM/ZEBULON It’s Game 3 of the Carolina Mudcats’ five-game homestand against a hot Tennessee Smokies club, and if for nothing more than to lift the mood in the clubhouse the home team needs a victory.

Tennessee has been holding up its end of the deal recently in its three-way battle with in-state rivals West Tenn and Chattanooga, while the Mudcats - who come into the game with a “tragic number” of four with nearly two weeks left in the season - are going to have to get it going to finish fourth in the Southern League’s North Division.

The Mudcats do have one of their marquee players back in Yonder Alonzo (pictured), who is back from Sarasota after going on the disabled list back on June 18 with a broken hamate bone in his right hand.

Tennessee’s Jeremy Papelbon, who pitched on Sunday, is having a good day as he has been named the SL’s pitcher of the week.

It looks like the weather is going to be good for this one, so after watching Smokies skipper Ryne Sandberg sign a long line of autographs let’s get a cheeseburger and play ball.

This one gets ugly early, and ends up with the Smokies winning 16-9. Trust me, Monday’s contest was a good one to miss. Continue reading »

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Suns setting on Mudcats as Ungs mows them down again

Mike Potter · 19 Aug 2009, 11:13 PM · Comment


jackungsNic Ungs hasn’t been hospitable to his old team this season, and that continued the bad news for the Carolina Mudcats.

The former Mudcat fired seven shutout innings, beating Carolina for the fourth time this season as the homestanding Jacksonville Suns won 4-2.

The Mudcats’ “tragic number” for elimination from the playoff race fell to nine.

Ungs (9-2), who played for Carolina from 2003-05, lowered his ERA to 1.00 with a three-hit outing. He has pitched 27 innings against the Mudcats this season and allowed three runs.

Jerry Gill (2-2) took the loss in his first Double-A start.

Mike Stanton homered while Ungs helped his own cause with an RBI single for a 2-0 Jacksonville lead in the second inning.

The Suns doubled their lead in the seventh on Ryan Klosterman’s two-run homer off Ruben Medina.

The Mudcats broke up the shutout in the ninth, scoring their runs on an error and a Stephen Chapman single.

Game 4 of the five-game series is Thursday night at 7:05, with Camilo Vazquez (3-4, 5.89) going against the Suns’ Brad Stone (5-2, 2.25).

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Kahaulelio, Mudcats finally get to pound on Birmingham

Mike Potter · 15 Aug 2009, 10:59 PM · Comment


catkahauFIVE COUNTY STADIUM/ZEBULON The Carolina Mudcats host Game 4 of their five-game series with the Birmingham Barons, and with a four-game losing streak they’re pretty much playing for pride in the series.

If they don’t start a winning tear pretty soon, they could be playing for pride in the Southern League’s North Division standings as well. Carolina’s “tragic number” is 14 for elimination from the playoff race.

Birmingham, of course, is running away with the best record in the league.

There are ominously dark clouds in the sky before game time, but it becomes obvious that there isn’t going to be a threat of rain.

Grab an Italian sausage and let’s play ball.

This time the Mudcats hit Birmingham starter Kyle McCulloch early and hard, striking for four runs in the second inning. And the run of timely hitting is a beautiful thing for a decent home crowd to watch, eventually leading to - yes indeed, boys and girls - an 8-1 Mudcats romp.

With one out, Sean Henry reaches on an infield hit, followed by Stephen Chapman’s single to right. Carson Kainer follows with an RBI single to left. With two out, Korey Feiner hits a two-run single to right. And after Jake Kahaulelio (pictured) reaches on an infield single to third, Shaun Cumberland brings home Feiner with a hit to left to make it 4-0. Continue reading »

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Same old, same old: Birmingham deals Mudcats another loss

Mike Potter · 14 Aug 2009, 11:59 PM · Comment


catsparkFIVE COUNTY STADIUM/ZEBULON  Time for Game 3 of the Carolina Mudcats’ five-game home series against the Birmingham Barons, and the hole seems to be getting deeper all the time for the home team.

The Barons are the Southern League’s best team with over twice as many wins as losses, while Carolina is in last place in the North Division, nine games behind the first-place Chattanooga Lookouts with a “tragic number” of 15 for elimination from the playoff race.

This is a crazy stat. Two teams out of the 10-team Southern League have records over .500, and the season may well finish that way. Birmingham comes into the contest 40 games over the break-even mark. And things don’t get any better for the red, black and white tonight as Birmingham wins 11-6.

It’s a bit of a saga for me to get over here from Brier Creek tonight. I-540 is a parking lot in Western Wake county, and there’s a pretty heavy thunderstorm in the middle of my trip.

But all of that means I get to the park 40 minutes before first pitch instead of about 75, and the game is going to start on time.

Grab a cheeseburger and let’s go.

Birmingham wastes no time getting on the board against Zack Ward, as C.J. Retherford draws a one-out walk and scores on David Cook’s two-out single to left center.

The Mudcats really get it going in the bottom of the second off John Ely. Todd Frazier draws a one-out walk and scores on Carson Kainer’s two-out double that goes off the glove of diving center fielder Jordan Danks. Logan Parker (pictured) adds an RBI double, and after Jason Bour walks Sean Henry hits an RBI single to left center and the homeboys are up 3-1. Continue reading »

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Cochran, Mudcats get revenge on Jaxx

Mike Potter · 9 Aug 2009, 1:56 AM · Comment


catbourMaybe just playing in a normal baseball game gave the Carolina Mudcats some inspiration.

One night after a 20-9 loss in a four-hour debacle, the visiting Mudcats got revenge with a 7-3 win over the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx.

Tom Cochran had a quality start to improve to 4-4 while Joseph Krebs picked up the save with three innings of scoreless one-hit relief.

Jason Bour (pictured) had three hits to lead the Mudcats, while Stephen Chapman had two hits and three RBI. Juan Francisco had two hits after collecting three in each of the previous four games.

The Mudcats are now eight games behind first-place Chattanooga in the Southern League’s Northern Division race with 27 to play.

Game 4 of the five-game set is today at 3:05 p.m., with Camilo Vazquez (2-3, 5.90) taking on West Tenn’s Steve Bray (4-6, 3.30).

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Mr. Deeds, Smokies slam reeling Mudcats

Mike Potter · 3 Aug 2009, 11:39 PM · Comment


tendeedsThe Carolina Mudcats haven’t had much success over the last few nights, and after tonight’s contest things are even worse.

Doug Deeds (pictured) blasted a pinch-hit grand slam in the eighth inning, giving the Tennessee Smokies all the insurance they needed in a 7-2 victory over visiting Carolina.

It was the eighth straight win for Tennessee, while the Mudcats have lost five straight. Carolina is in last place in the Southern League’s North Division, 7 ½ games behind first-place Chattanooga, while the Smokies and just half a game out of the lead.

Tom Cochran (3-4) look the defeat despite a quality start, allowing three runs on nine hits in his six innings. He didn’t get off to a good start, though, as the first three Smokies all hit safely with Tyler Colvin’s single making it 2-0.

Carolina scored an unearned run in the second against winner Andrew Cashner (2-1).

Todd Frazier had his second straight two-hit game for Carolina.

Game 4 of the five-game set is Tuesday night at 7:15, with Camilo Vazquez (2-3, 5.44) taking on Tennessee’s Casey Coleman (10-5, 3.26).

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Corcoran, Schreiber back in the Triangle to haunt Mudcats

Mike Potter · 30 Jul 2009, 11:54 PM · Comment


chacorcoFIVE COUNTY STADIUM/ZEBULON It’s Game 4 of the Carolina Mudcats’ five-game series with the Chattanooga Lookouts, and the home team is on a bit of a roll after winning back-to-back close games.

Tonight is “Pack the Park” night, with N.C. State football coach Tom O’Brien and former standout wide receiver Alvis Whitted scheduled to throw out two of the many ceremonial “first pitches.” It’s also “Thirsty Thursday.”

I hear from a club employee that a lot of the lower-level staffers who attended rival schools -I’m guessing maybe that means UNC or ECU given the geography - aren’t keen on the idea of wearing Wolfpack red and are settling for Mudcats red instead.

It could be an interesting night since Tim Corcoran, a popular former Mudcat from last season who played for the Durham Bulls a few years ago, is on the mound for the Lookouts.

Corcoran, who played here only the second half of last season after coming off elbow surgery, has been with Chattanooga all season and in and out of the bullpen after signing with the Dodgers in a free-agent tryout in spring training. And he turns out to be the winner as his team scores early and survives 3-2. Continue reading »

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