Thurs. 9/7 - Mudcats Magic Number is One; Shuckers Look for 10th Straight While Keeping Pace with Montgomery

[Joseph Zarr]

This thread will be utilized for any minor league news Thursday, lineup updates, etc.

Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores

[Joseph Zarr]

Where Things Stand Today

• The Mudcats need a single win or a single Lynchburg loss to claim the second-half playoff birth and play a Game One at Home. They have four games remaining. They are knotted 1-1 at Salem.
• Winners of 9 straight, Biloxi will look for a 10th win in a row and their third in a row to start their second to last series at Birmingham. They remain a mere 0.5 GB of Montgomery (the 1/2 game, here, decided by a cancellation of a recent Shuckers contest - no fair!) as they head toward the final deciding homestand versus these same Biscuits.
• Wisconsin is playing for pride, now, after laying two consecutive stinkers versus the mighty Cedar Rapids Kernels. Peoria beat Beloit 3-0 last night and clinched the Midwest League's East Division second half birth. Kudos to Peoria. The T-Rats gave it a great run but they will ultimately look back at many failed opportunities in the second half in a 'what could have been' improved run of play. We'll look for strong finishes and small storylines and (hopefully) a possible late Double-A promotion for talented 3B Brock Wilken.
• Nashville has won the first two contests versus the Memphis Redbirds but Durham (now having won five in a row dating back to their shellacking of the Sounds) has done the same versus the woeful Charlotte Knights. There is plenty of ballgame left in the International League, with 15 games remaining. However, a playoff push is extremely unlikely given the eight teams stacked between the Sounds and first place Durham. Gulp. We will continue to root them on and hope for solid Triple-A performances from here on out.

[Joseph Zarr]

Good stuff from the Shuckers Javik Blake who continues to spoil us with his ongoing pre-game interview series. Here's Wednesday's chat with RHP TJ Shook who dealt a wizardly start in just 58 pitches before the big breakout seventh inning ended his outing. Shook is a very well-spoken interview - I'd put him up there in terms of affability with RHP Tyler Herb (may he be recovering strong up in Nashville!). We learn he sports a catcher's mitt in between starts to keep it loose with his fellow pitchers and he was voted a Minor League Team Rep:

 

[Ro Mueller]

AAA Nashville looks to grab a 3-0 home series lead over Memphis, with league-strikeout leader LHP Robert Gasser (3.73 ERA with 155 Ks in 125.1 IP) on the mound. 1B/OF Keston Hiura is absent from the lineup for a 3rd straight game. 

[Ro Mueller]

RHP Yorman Galindez (4.26 ERA with 56 Ks in 50.2 IP) gets the start for Carolina at Salem, as the Low-A Mudcats are ready to clinch a playoff berth with a victory tonight. CF Dylan O’Rae has hit safely in 13 of his last 14 games.

[Ro Mueller]

RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez (2.75 ERA with 141 Ks in 111.1 IP) gets the start for AA Biloxi in Birmingham, with the team needing to keep winning to keep up in the playoff race. C Wes Clarke’s on-base streak has reached 22 games.

[Ro Mueller]

RHP Joseph Hernandez makes his 3rd High-A start for Wisconsin since recent return from injury, with the team needing to win at least 2 of its remaining 4 games to achieve a winning second half record. 3B Brock Wilken’s hitting streak is up to 11 games.

[Joseph Zarr]

After five complete innings, the Kannapolis Cannonballers lead Lynchburg 7-4. Meanwhile, in Salem the Mudcats are knotted at 0-0 in the top of the 5th and RHP Yorman Galindez has not conceded a single hit with 6 K's. 

[Ro Mueller]

Now that Wisconsin has been eliminated from postseason contention and the pressure is off: four hits and a walk in the 1st inning produce 3 runs. Eric Brown Jr. got things started with a single. He also stole home in the inning. Wisconsin 3, Cedar Rapids 0 early.

[Ro Mueller]

Pour it on: a Brock Wilken triple highlights a 4-run 2nd inning for the Timber Rattlers, who lead 7-0.

[Joseph Zarr]

Galindez now has 9 K thru 5 IP. The Red Sox did manage a hit in the fifth. Still knotted 0-0. Tight one. Galindez has been a bit of a late season promotional revelation and I am absolutely into it!

[Joseph Zarr]

Up 7-0 entering the top of the third inning, RHP Joseph Hernandez has walked, given up a run-scoring double, and walked. Men on 1st and 2nd. No outs. 7-1 T-Rats. And he gets a key DP ball! Man on 3B. Two down now.

[Joseph Zarr]

Chourio K in his first AB. 1-for-10 at Birmingham as we look to complete the mid-series game 3 tonight. Let's hope he can re-discover one of those sizzling hot streaks in time for Montgomery at Home!

[Ro Mueller]

After running themselves out of the 6th inning (caught stealing 3rd base with best bat at the plate), Carolina finally breaks through in the 7th inning. Jesus Chirinos double, Jose Sibrian RBI single. 1-0 Mudcats. It’s like a soccer match!

Jace Avina walks, Juan Baez singles and it’s 2-0, 2 on, nobody out!

[markedman5]

Our first rounder is off to a heck of a start to,his career

 

[wibadgers23]

5 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Chourio K in his first AB. 1-for-10 at Birmingham as we look to complete the mid-series game 3 tonight. Let's hope he can re-discover one of those sizzling hot streaks in time for Montgomery at Home!

Chourio’s been struggling a bit since his unbelievable July. Same with Quero. Hopefully they can get hot and end the season on a good note.

[wibadgers23]

7 minutes ago, markedman5 said:

Our first rounder is off to a heck of a start to,his career

 

I’d bet anything they’ll send him to Biloxi after the Rattlers season is done. He’d be a nice bat in that Shuckers lineup in their playoff push.

[Ro Mueller]

Bit of trouble in Salem as RHP Yujanyer Herrera gives up 3 hits in the bottom of the 7th inning. Thankfully only one run comes across. But that makes it Carolina 3, Salem 1. Headed to the 8th inning now.

[Ro Mueller]

This could be a rather miserable note on which to end a rough season for Stiven Cruz. Came in with a 7-2 lead. Failed to retire any of the first 4 batters, the last of which homered. Thankfully Matt Wood threw out one on the bases. Wisconsin 7, Cedar Rapids 5. Still in 5th inning.

[Ro Mueller]

The Mudcats tack on 2 runs in the top of the 8th inning to extend their lead to 5-1!!

Dylan O’Rae started the inning with an infield single. Jesus Chirinos also singled before an HBP, walk and sacrifice fly. Go Mudcats!!

Chase Costello has come in to pitch the bottom half of the inning. 

[Ro Mueller]

16 minutes ago, damuelle said:

Chase Costello has come in to pitch the bottom half of the inning. 

Costello walked 2 of the first 3 batters, but got out of it unscathed.

Now it’s RHP Bayden Root who enters with Carolina leading 5-1 in the 9th inning.

THREE. MORE. OUTS!! THREE. MORE. OUTS!!

[Ro Mueller]

5 minutes ago, damuelle said:

Now it’s RHP Bayden Root who enters with Carolina leading 5-1 in the 9th inning.

Ground out! K! Line out to right field!

The Carolina Mudcats clinch their first playoff berth since 2008!!

Pop the fruit juice and sparkling water!!!

[wibadgers23]

Congrats to the Mudcats!

[Jim French Stepstool]

4 hours ago, damuelle said:

AAA Nashville looks to grab a 3-0 home series lead over Memphis, with league-strikeout leader LHP Robert Gasser (3.73 ERA with 155 Ks in 125.1 IP) on the mound. 1B/OF Keston Hiura is absent from the lineup for a 3rd straight game. 

Do we read anything into Donaldson not being in the lineup? He hasn't done anything that screams "promote me", yet if they're still evaluating they'd like for him to continue to get ABs, no?

[wiguy94]

11 minutes ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

Do we read anything into Donaldson not being in the lineup? He hasn't done anything that screams "promote me", yet if they're still evaluating they'd like for him to continue to get ABs, no?

Scheduled off day according to Jeff Hem