Showing posts tagged “Jacksonville Suns”
Mike Potter ·
3 Sep 2009, 11:32 PM ·
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FIVE COUNTY STADIUM/ZEBULON It’s the opener of the Carolina Mudcats’ final series of the season, a five-game set against the Mississippi Braves that will conclude with an afternoon game on Labor Day.
Frankly it doesn’t mean much except for individual statistics. The Mudcats are in last place in the Southern League’s North Division - although only a game and a half behind the fourth-place Huntsville Stars, who are playoff-bound after edging out Carolina by a single game to win the first half.
Mississippi will finish with a winning half unless the Mudcats really do some butt-kicking over the next five days, but the Braves are solidly in third place in the South and most of them will be headed back to their hometowns after a long bus ride following Monday’s contest.
But both teams have been playing out the string very well, as each comes in with a three-game winning streak.
With the Southern League’s wildly-unbalanced schedule, it’s Mississippi’s only visit to North Carolina this season - only the Tennessee Smokies, Jacksonville Suns and Huntsville visited Zebulon for more than a single five-game series.
That’s too bad for one particular reason, because colorful Mississippi manager Phillip Wellman, who played for the Durham Bulls in the late ’80s and coached there in the early ’90s, is in town just once.
Both rosters are pretty depleted as the Cincinnati Reds try to bolster Louisville and the Atlanta Braves do the same for Gwinnett in an attempt to win the International League’s Governors’ Cup.
The Mudcats will have a quality pitcher on the mound tonight in southpaw Matt Maloney (pictured), who was sent directly down from Cincinnati apparently for just this one outing to keep him fresh.
Fortunately it’s a beautiful night for, well, anything. And the Mudcats end up winning 6-5 with a bottom-of-the-ninth rally.
Let’s grab an Italian sausage - I’m going to be missing those things all winter but it’s not as if I need them - and play ball. Continue reading »
Baseball, Carolina Mudcats Atlanta Braves, Brandon Hicks, Cincinnati Reds, Cody Johnson, David Bell, Durham Bulls, Eric Eymann, Gwinnett Braves, Huntsville Stars, International League, Jacksonville Suns, Jason Bour, Jason Heyward, Jose Camarena, Jose Castro, Josh Beal, Kody Kirkland, Kris Negron, Kyle Cofield, Logan Parker, Louisville Bats, Luis Montano, Matt Maloney, Mississippi Braves, Phillip Wellman, Sean Henry, Southern League, Tennessee Smokies, Tim Gustafson, Zach Ward, Zack Cozart
Mike Potter ·
22 Aug 2009, 12:10 AM ·
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The Carolina Mudcats might be returning home tonight, but they won’t be bringing any momentum with them.
A three-run homer from former Mudcat Bryan Petersen (pictured) in the fourth inning provided all the scoring the Jacksonville Suns needed to beat the visiting Mudcats 5-1 in the finale of their five-game series.
The loss, Carolina’s fourth in five games in the series, cut the Mudcats’ “tragic number” to seven for elimination from the playoff race in the Southern League’s North Division.
Jarrett Santos (4-2) was the winner while Alexander Smit (3-3) took the loss.
Carolina’s only run came in the third, as Stephen Chapman’s sacrifice fly scored Logan Parker.
The Mudcats will be back at Five County Stadium tonight at 6:15 against the Tennessee Smokies, with Luis Montano (0-4, 7.66) taking on Tennessee’s Chris Carpenter (0-2, 4.96).
Baseball, Carolina Mudcats Alexander Smit, Bryan Petersen, Chris Carpenter, Cincinnati Reds, Florida Marlins, Jacksonville Suns, Jarrett Santos, Logan Parker, Luis Montano, Southern League, Stephen Chapman, Tennessee Smokies
Mike Potter ·
19 Aug 2009, 11:13 PM ·
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Nic 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).
Baseball, Carolina Mudcats Brad Stone, Camilo Vazquez, Cincinnati Reds, Florida Marlins, Jacksonville Suns, Jerry Gil, Mike Stanton, Nic Ungs, Ruben Medina, Ryan Klosterman, Southern League, Stephen Chapman
Mike Potter ·
18 Aug 2009, 10:38 PM ·
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Things are really starting to get desperate for the Carolina Mudcats.
Bryan Peterson’s two-run triple in the sixth was the biggest blow for the Jacksonville Suns, as they topped the visiting Mudcats 6-3 to cut Carolina’s “tragic number” to 11 for elimination from the pennant race in the Southern League’s North Division.
Jacksonville, which is a very solid 70-52 since the season began, is one of just two SL teams with a winning record.
Zach Ward (0-4) took the loss in relief, giving up a pair of doubles in the sixth before Peterson’s big hit off Joseph Krebs. Tom Cochran had a solid five-inning start, allowing two earned runs on three hits and four walks.
Sean Henry (pictured) had two hits for the Mudcats including his 20th double, while Zack Cozart also chipped in a pair of hits.
Game 3 of the five-game set is Wednesday night at 7:05, with Jerry Gil (2-1, 8.47) taking on Nic Ungs (8-2, 2.20).
Baseball, Carolina Mudcats Bryan Peterson, Cincinnati Reds, Florida Marlins, Jacksonville Suns, Jerry Gil, Joseph Krebs, Nic Ungs, Sean Henry, Southern League, Tom Cochran, Zach Ward, Zack Cozart
Mike Potter ·
17 Aug 2009, 11:35 PM ·
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The Carolina Mudcats’ chances to make a long-shot comeback for a playoff berth got even longer.
Brad Davis’ two-run homer in the sixth inning was the killer blow as the Jacksonville Suns topped the visiting Mudcats 5-2 in the opener of their five-game series. Carolina’s “tragic number” is down to 12.
The homer came off losing pitcher Luis Montano (0-4), who has dropped all four of his Double-A starts.
Jacksonville led 2-0 through three innings before one blast scored Carolina’s runs.
Former Mudcats pitcher Anibal Sanchez, possibly making the final start of his current Major League rehab, had retired the first nine batters in order before walking Sean Henry to lead off the fourth. Shaun Cumberland (pictured) then followed by rocketing a 3-1 fastball into the right-field bleachers.
Jacksonville added an insurance run against Ruben Medina in the seventh on a Logan Morrison double.
The series continues Tuesday night at 7:05, with Carolina’s Tom Cochran (4-5, 3.27) starting against Graham Taylor (6-6, 4.09).
Baseball, Carolina Mudcats Anibal Sanchez, Brad Davis, Cincinnati Reds, Florida Marlins, Graham Taylor, Jacksonville Suns, Logan Morrison, Luis Montano, Ruben Medina, Sean Henry, Shaun Cumberland, Southern League, Tom Cochran
Mike Potter ·
16 Aug 2009, 6:29 PM ·
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FIVE COUNTY STADIUM/ZEBULON It’s the finale of the Carolina Mudcats’ homestand and the last time they’ll play the Birmingham Barons this season unless a 100-year miracle gets the home team a playoff berth.
It’s a hot, cloudy afternoon, but at least the Mudcats have room for some optimism since they were finally able to beat the league’s best team last night.
And they need wins badly, as they enter today’s action with a “tragic number” of 13 for elimination from the Southern League’s North Division race.
There’s not going to be much of a crowd, though there’s an interesting addition to the press box. On hand for the past two games to write a story for hometown paper back in The Netherlands is Frank Vonken, who introduces himself to everyone as “Frank from Holland.” Frank, who says he speaks five languages (”We’re not worthy!”) is on hand to cover Alex Smit (pictured), the big lefty from Eindhoven who is back in the lineup after recovering from a sore back.
The trip turns out to be a productive one for our friend Frank, as Smit - whose accent is now barely discernable - allows two runs on two hits in seven innings to pick up the decision in a 4-3 victory. Continue reading »
Baseball, Carolina Mudcats Alexander Smit, Birmingham Barons, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, David Bell, David Cook, Frank Vonken, Henry Mabee, Jacksonville Suns, Jake Kahaulelio, Jason Bour, Javier Colina, Jim Gallagher, Johnny Lowe, Lee Cruz, Luis Montano, Matt Long, Montgomery Biscuits, Philippe Valliquette, Rayner Oliveros, Rob Hudson, Sean Henry, Shaun Cumberland, Southern League, Stephen Chapman, The Netherlands, West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, Zack Cozart
Mike Potter ·
30 Jul 2009, 11:54 PM ·
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FIVE 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 »
ACC, Baseball, Carolina Mudcats, Duke, Durham Bulls, Football, N.C. State Alberto Bastardo, Alvis Whitted, Andrew Lambo, Atlanta Braves, California League, Camilo Vazquez, Carson Kainer, Chattanooga Lookouts, Chris Denove, Cincinnati Reds, Gaby Martinez, Huntsville Stars, Inland Empire 66ers, International League, Jacksonville Suns, James Tomlin, Jesus Rodriguez, Juan Francisco, Logan Parker, Los Angeles Dodgers, Lucas May, Richmond Braves, Scott Carroll, Shaun Cumberland, Southern League, Tennessee Smokies, Tim Corcoran, Tom O'Brien, West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, Zach Schreiber
Mike Potter ·
11 Jul 2009, 11:45 PM ·
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If you love pitchers’ duels, it’s too bad you probably haven’t been in Jacksonville, Fla., for the Carolina Mudcats’ last four games against the Suns.
Neither team scored three runs in a game in their series that just ended, and that pattern continued perfectly tonight in a doubleheader at The Baseball Grounds.
The Suns got just two hits - one in each game - in 13 innings, as the Mudcats won the opener 2-0 before dropping the nightcap 1-0.
Carolina is 7-13 in the second half while Jacksonville is 13-7.
Matthew Klinker (3-0) went six innings in the Mudcats’ win in the opener. All-Star selection Logan Ondrusek worked a perfect seventh to pick up the save.
Todd Frazier went 3-for-4 on the opener for Carolina, which gave Suns ace Cristhian Martinez (7-3) his first loss since May 4.
In the nightcap, Brad Stone (2-1) and two relievers combined on the three-hit shutout for Jacksonville.
Tom Cochran (1-3) took the loss, giving up one unearned run in the third inning.
The Mudcats now take a three-day All-Star Break before opening a five-game series on Wednesday night at Five County Stadium against the Chattanooga Lookouts.
Carolina’s Travis Wood has been named the starter on the mound for Monday night’s Southern League All-Star Game, while the Mudcats’ Frazier and shortstop Zack Cozart are also in the starting lineup with Ondruzek, James Avery and Jordan Smith in the bullpen.
Baseball, Carolina Mudcats Birmingham Barons, Brad Stone, Cincinnati Reds, Cristhian Martinez, Florida Marlins, Jacksonville Suns, James Avery, Jordan Smith, Logan Ondrusek, Matthew Klinker, Southern League, Todd Frazier, Tom Cochran, Travis Wood, Zack Cozart
Mike Potter ·
11 Jul 2009, 12:19 AM ·
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The Carolina Mudcats played another nail-biter with the Jacksonville Suns Friday night, coming out on the short end in a very odd way.
Ramon Geronimo nailed Jacksonville hitter Mike Stanton in the back with the bases loaded and one out in the 10th, giving the homestanding Suns a 2-1 win at the Baseball Grounds.
With one out in the extra inning Lorenzo Scott singled, followed by a double from Ryan Klosterman. Geronimo issued an intentional walk to Logan Morrison, then plunked Stanton on a 1-1 offering to even the current series at one win each.
The Mudcats’ run came in the third, when a single from Sean Henry (pictured) scored Eric Eymann. Jacksonville tied the score in the bottom of that frame on an error from catcher Brian Peterson.
Matt Peterson (2-2) was the winning pitcher, while Geronimo dropped to 2-3.
The game was slowed by two rain delays totaling an hour and four minutes.
Carolina (6-12) and Jacksonville (12-6) will finish their current series with a 5:35 p.m. doubleheader tonight.
Matthew Klinker (2-0, 1.50) and Tom Cochran (1-2, 4.21) will start for the Mudcats.
Baseball, Carolina Mudcats Brian Peterson, Cincinnati Reds, Eric Eymann, Florida Marlins, Jacksonville Suns, Lorenzo Scott, Matt Peterson, Matthew Klinker, Mike Stanton, Ramon Geronimo, Ryan Klosterman, Sean Henry, Southern League, Tom Cochran
Mike Potter ·
10 Jul 2009, 12:59 AM ·
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It seemed like it took forever, but with the Carolina Mudcats apparently having their mojo back all they had to do was be patient.
A two-run homer from Todd Frazier (pictured) in the 11th gave the Mudcats all their scoring in a 2-1 road victory over the host Jacksonville Suns on Thursday night at the Baseball Grounds. It was Carolina’s third straight victory after a 3-11 start to the second half.
The contest started 126 minutes late because of rain, and after adding that to a 3:16 game time everyone agreed it was best to shut it down for the night and play the doubleheader on Saturday night in the teams’ final two games before the All-Star Break.
Frazier ripped the first pitch from Adalberto Mendez (L, 2-4) over the left-field wall after Juan Francisco drew a leadoff walk.
The Suns also got their run off a homer, with Scott Cousins going deep off Sean Watson (2-4) in the bottom of the frame.
Baseball, Carolina Mudcats Adalberto Mendez, Cincinnati Reds, Florida Marlins, Jacksonville Suns, Juan Francisco, Scott Cousins, Sean Watson, Todd Frazier
