Showing posts tagged “Los Angeles Dodgers”
Mike Potter ·
1 Aug 2009, 2:21 AM ·
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FIVE COUNTY STADIUM/ZEBULON It’s the fifth and rubber game of the Carolina Mudcats’ home series with the Chattanooga Lookouts, and the Mudcats are definitely looking for a win because they’re about to head out on a 10-game road trip.
And the rains that were heading East across Wake county do a pretty good job of delaying the game, although the field is going to be in great shape.
It’s another very special occasion tonight as it is the birthday of “Muddy the Mudcat” and mascots from everywhere are in the house including Stormy from the Carolina Hurricanes and Rufus Lynx from the Charlotte Bobcats.
And the game starts 74 minutes late with no apparent threat of further rain, as we get ready for the boys to start circling bases in a game the Lookouts eventually win 9-8 in 12 innings.
The Mudcats have no trouble jumping on starter Alberto Bastardo for five runs on five hits in the first. The big ones are a bases-loaded two-run single from Juan Francisco and a two-out, two RBI single from Chris Denove.
Chattanooga makes it 5-1 in the second on Juan Gonzalez’ two-out single to right.
And in the third inning, one of those once-in-a-lifetime things for casual baseball fans happens. The Lookouts have a big inning going as James Tomlin singles to right and then Andrew Lambo reaches on an error to Shaun Cumberland in left. Gaby Martinez follows with an RBI single to right and then Lucas May adds another RBI single to right.
Then it happens. Eddy Perez hits a bouncer straight to first baseman Justin Tordi, who fires home to get Martinez. May is caught between second and third, and Denove fires the ball down to Francisco at third to finish the triple play. (I have now seen three, a 9-2-6 pulled by the Richmond Braves in the late 70s and a bases-loaded L5-4 by the Lynchburg Hillcats against the Durham Bulls sometime in the early 90s. I think, anyway.)
After the Mudcats put one across in the third, Russ Mitchell’s homer in the fourth cuts the Lookouts’ deficit to 6-4. Carolina answers in the bottom of the frame as Jake Kahaulelio (pictured) hits a one-out triple and scores on Todd Frazier’s sacrifice fly. Continue reading »
ACC, Baseball, Carolina Hurricanes, Carolina Mudcats, Duke, Durham Bulls Alberto Bastardo, Andrew Lambo, Carolina League, Charlotte Bobcats, Chattanooga Lookouts, Chris Denove, Cincinnati Reds, David Bell, David Patton, Eddy Perez, Enerio Del Rosario, Florida State League, Gaby Martinez, International League, Jake Kahaulelio, James Tomlin, Jesus Rodriguez, Juan Francisco, Juan Gonzalez, Justin Tordi, Lee Tabor, Los Angeles Dodgers, Louisville Bats, Luis Muñoz, Lynchburg Hillcats, Richmond Braves, Russ Mitchell, Sarasota Reds, Shaun Cumberland, Southern League, Stephen Chapman, Tennessee Smokies, Todd Frazier, Tommy Giles, West Tenn Diamond Jaxx
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 ·
29 Jul 2009, 11:15 PM ·
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FIVE COUNTY STADIUM/ZEBULON Back for Game 3 of the Carolina Mudcats’ series with the first-place Chattanooga Lookouts, and as the action begins the series is all tied up.
The rains hit Zebulon in late afternoon, but the tarp comes off the field about 45 minutes before the game and everybody’s going to be ready to go on time.
Tonight we’ll go with barbecue sauce on the cheeseburger, remembering a commercial starring Michael Jordan who played here in a handful of games with the Birmingham Barons.
Chattanooga lefty James Adkins does get the first pitch off at precisely 7:15, and after last night’s 13-inning saga that makes everyone who pays attention to such things very happy. And the home fans aren’t disappointed tonight as the Mudcats eke out a 2-1 win.
Everything is sailing along fine until there’s a spontaneous blackout in the middle of the fourth, which only blips the press box but puts the stadium lights out for quite some time.
After a delay of 14 minutes that seems a lot longer, everything seems to be proceeding normally. Continue reading »
ACC, Baseball, Carolina Mudcats, N.C. State Alvis Whitted, Andrew Lambo, Birmingham Barons, Camilo Vazquez, Chattanooga Lookouts, Cincinnati Reds, David Bell, Emilio Del Rosario, Jake Kahaulelio, James Adkins, James Tomlin, Jason Bour, Justin Tordi, Kendy Batista, Los Angeles Dodgers, Michael Jordan, Ruben Medina, Sean Henry, Southern League, Tim Corcoran, Todd Frazier, Tom Cochran, Tom O'Brien, Zack Cozart
Mike Potter ·
29 Jul 2009, 12:32 AM ·
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FIVE COUNTY STADIUM/ZEBULON The Carolina Mudcats come into Game 2 of their current five-game homestand against the Chattanooga Lookouts needing as many victories as they can get.
The Mudcats lost the first-half race in the Southern League’s North Division by just one game to the Huntsville Stars, but have started slow in the second half and come into the contest in last place.
Carolina is still in second place in the full-season division standings, but unless they either win the second half or Huntsville does that figure is completely meaningless.
It’s mostly sunny and warm, and after some chicken tenders I’m ready to go and so are the boys.
It’s a pitchers’ duel early and late, but it turns into a saga before the Mudcats win 5-4 in 13 on late heroics from Juan Francisco (pictured).
Carolina gets on the board first against Jesus Castillo in the second. Justin Tordi draws a leadoff walk and advances on a bunt from pitcher Matt Klinker before Stephen Chapman deposits the next pitch over the Catfish Corner fence in right. Then with two out Francisco lifts his first pitch just over the wall in left.
Chattanooga rallies for one in the fifth, as James Tomlin reaches on a bad-hop triple to right and scores on Justin Sellers’ bouncer to third.
And the pitchers’ duel resumes after that.
Continue reading »
ACC, Baseball, Carolina Mudcats, Duke Carson Kainer, Chattanooga Lookouts, Cincinnati Reds, David Bell, Gabe Gutierrez, Huntsville Stars, Jake Kahaulelio, James Adkins, James Tomlin, Jerry Gil, Jesus Castillo, Joe Krebs, Juan Francisco, Justin Sellers, Justin Tordi, Logan Parker, Los Angeles Dodgers, Matt Klinker, Southern League, Stephen Chapman, Tom Cochran, Victor Garate, West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, Zach Schreiber
Mike Potter ·
27 Jul 2009, 11:46 PM ·
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FIVE COUNTY STADIUM/ZEBULON It’s Game 1 of the Carolina Mudcats’ series with the Chattanooga Lookouts, and the first time I’ve been able to make it out here in 20 days.
I had scheduled a multi-day event with some extended family to coincide with a hole in the Durham Bulls schedule before I was shown the door by the Incredible Shrinking Herald-Sun in May, so I was away for the whole series the last time Chattanooga was here July 15-21.
Chattanooga won that series, although the Mudcats won the final two games of the five-game set.
Incidentally, seems budget cuts are everywhere. There’s a new system for obtaining sodas that has been the talk of the press box. But at least they’re free, so if that’s the worst thing that happens to me for a while life is pretty OK.
Anyway, I’ll go with the Italian sausage tonight, fortunately the rains are holding off now and it’s game time.
There are a couple of local favorites on the visiting roster tonight. Duke alumnus Zach Schreiber, who was with the old Richmond Braves all last season, is in the Lookouts’ bullpen along with Tim Corcoran, who was a Mudcat most of last season and was with the Durham Bulls in 2004-05.
Chattanooga gets to Lee Tabor pretty quickly in the first inning, scoring two runs en route to its 3-0 victory. Adam Godwin (pictured) leads off with a single to left, advances on James Tomlin’s sacrifice bunt to first and scores on Andrew Lambo’s single to right. Josh Bell singles to left center and Lucas May hits a two-out single to right center before Juan Gonzalez draws the bases-loaded walk to make it 2-0. Continue reading »
ACC, Baseball, Carolina Mudcats, Duke, Durham Bulls Adam Godwin, Andrew Lambo, Carson Kainer, Chattanooga Lookouts, Cincinnati Reds, Enerio Del Rosario, Gabe Martinez, Jake Kahaulelio, James Tomlin, Jerry Gil, Jesus Castillo, John Valentin, Josh Bell, Juan Gonzalez, Lee Tabor, Los Angeles Dodgers, Lucas May, Matthew Klinker, Southern League, Stephen Chapman, Tim Corcoran, West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, Zach Schreiber
Mike Potter ·
19 Jul 2009, 10:59 PM ·
1 Comment
The Travis Wood Express continues for the Carolina Mudcats.
The Mudcats’ homestand ended on a high note behind the left arm of Wood (pictured), as Carolina whipped the Chattanooga Lookouts 6-1 at Five County Stadium for its second straight win.
Wood (9-3) has now won a club-record nine straight decisions. In today’s game, he fired seven shutout innings, striking out eight without a walk. He also helped his own cause with an RBI single in the second inning.
Carolina had a balanced offense, led by Carson Kainer who went 3-for-3 with a pair of RBI singles, while Korey Feiner and Todd Frazier each chipped in an RBI hit. Stephen Chapman went 2-for-4 and scored twice.
Following an off-day on Monday the Mudcats - who are currently seven games out of first place in the Southern League’s North Division - travel to Huntsville for a five-game series with the first-half champion Stars beginning Tuesday night.
Baseball, Carolina Mudcats Carson Kainer, Chattanooga Lookouts, Cincinnati Reds, Huntsville Stars, Korey Feiner, Los Angeles Dodgers, Southern League, Stephen Chapman, Todd Frazier, Travis Wood
Mike Potter ·
19 Jul 2009, 2:07 AM ·
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It might have taken two tries, but the Carolina Mudcats were able to stop their losing streak late Saturday night.
Pinch-hitter Steven Chapman (pictured) ripped a two-run homer in the fifth inning, giving the Mudcats a 2-1 victory over the Chattanooga Lookouts to end a four-game slide.
Chattanooga won the first game at Five County Stadium 11-2.
In the nightcap, southpaw Tom Cochran (2-3) went five innings and struck out six while allowing one unearned run. Logan Ondrusek picked up his fifth save of the season.
In the opener, Ramon Nivar doubled and singled for three RBI to lead five Lookouts with multiple-hit performances.
Camilo Vazquez (2-2) allowed five runs in 3 1/3 innings for Carolina in the opener. James Adkins (4-6) was the winner for Chattanooga.
The finale of the five-game set is today at 2, with ace Travis Wood (8-3, 1.29) going for Carolina against fellow left Alberto Bastardo (2-1, 4.05).
Baseball, Carolina Mudcats Alberto Bastardo, Camilo Vazquez, Chattanooga Lookouts, Cincinnati Reds, James Adkins, Logan Ondrusek, Los Angeles Dodgers, Ramon Nivar, Southern League, Tom Cochran, Travis Wood
Mike Potter ·
18 Jul 2009, 12:10 AM ·
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The Carolina Mudcats’ game with the Chattanooga Lookouts was rained out Friday night at Five County Stadium and will be played tonight as part of a 6:15 p.m. doubleheader.
The Mudcats will be attempting to break a three-game losing streak during tonight’s twin bill.
Carolina will have a new player for tonight’s action in infielder Justin Tordi, who has been promoted from Sarasota after hitting .172 with a homer and 15 RBI.
Tordi will replace Eric Eymann (pictured), who has been promoted to Louisville of the International League. Eymann was hitting .233 with a homer and 20 RBI at the time of his promotion.
Baseball, Carolina Mudcats Chattanooga Lookouts, Cincinnati Reds, Eric Eymann, Florida State League, International League, Justin Tordi, Los Angeles Dodgers, Louisville Bats, Sarasota Reds
Mike Potter ·
16 Jul 2009, 11:39 PM ·
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The Carolina Mudcats have been on a downhill slide for much of the second half so far, and tonight’s meeting with the Chattanooga Lookouts did nothing to change that.
Jesus Castillo allowed just four hits over seven innings, leaving the game with a 5-1 lead and watching his team hold on in a 10-6 victory over Carolina at Five County Stadium.
The contest, in the second game of their current five-game series, was Carolina’s third straight loss. The Mudcats are 7-15 in the half and currently in last place in the Southern League.
Juan Francisco (pictured) got the Mudcats on the board in the seventh with a solo homer, and Todd Frazier added his own solo shot in the eighth.
Shaun Cumberland and Logan Parker had two hits apiece for Carolina.
Matthew Klinker (3-1) gave up three homers in his first loss as a Mudcat.
Game 3 of the series is Friday night at 7:15, with Camilo Vazquez (2-1, 4.85) going against Chattanooga’s James Adkins (3-6, 5.11) in a battle of lefties.
Baseball, Carolina Mudcats Camilo Vazquez, Chattanooga Lookouts, Cincinnati Reds, James Adkins, Jesus Castillo, Juan Francisco, Logan Parker, Los Angeles Dodgers, Matthew Klinker, Shaun Cumberland, Southern League, Todd Frazier
Mike Potter ·
15 Jul 2009, 11:28 PM ·
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J.D. Durbin was nearly unhittable for eight innings, sparking the Chattanooga Lookouts to a 2-0 victory over the Carolina Mudcats in the opener of their five-game series at Five County Stadium.
Durbin (2-3) allowed just five hits while striking out three on a night neither he nor reliever Matt Sartor - who earned his eighth save - issued a walk.
Jose Castro had the only multi-hit game for the Mudcats, going 2-for-4.
Lee Tabor (pictured) had a good start for the Mudcats, pitching five shutout innings before Chris Kelly (0-1) allowed an unearned run in the sixth.
The series continues Thursday night at 7:15. Matthew Klinker (3-0, 1.00), who was the Southern League’s pitcher of the week, will start against Chattanooga’s Jesus Castillo (4-7, 4.71).
Baseball, Carolina Mudcats Chattanooga Lookouts, Chris Kelly, Cincinnati Reds, J.D. Durbin, Jesus Castillo, Jose Castro, Lee Tabor, Los Angeles Dodgers, Matt Sartor, Matthew Klinker, Southern League
