Tue. 9/10 - Playoffs?! Best-of-3 Semifinal Series Commence for T-Rats, Mudcats

[Joseph Zarr]

Garcia has a double steal going on and while trying to throw to 3B hit the batter somehow. A cut on the right hand it appears. Runners both advance. Nobody out. I think this will be fixable and he'll stay. 2-2 count.

Sounds send in another via sac fly. Zamora. 5-3 now. One down. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Just now, biedergb said:

Well he made a wide throw. Not sure of the runner was going to be safe, but I think the C should have played it. Either way 2 on. Ugh

It was one of those hospital balls. Is what it is. I agree with you: Catcher needs to take that play but Austin got to the ball first. It's just scientifically an easier play to make when you are sprinting forward. Alas, here we are. Nobody out. Men on 2nd and 3rd. 2-2 count.

[Joseph Zarr]

A run crosses. The ball has not left the infield. They're going to call that an error too but these are just ridiculous balls to deal with. Absurdly slow rollers. Baez had a 94 mph high hop off his mid-section. That one died and rolled under the glove. But, again, these are 50/50 plays. I don't agree with the scoring decisions. But, I understand them. 6-4 game now. Nobody out. Runners on the corners. 

[Joseph Zarr]

They get the DP. Huge. 6-5 lead. You take that any day of the week. Tough luck inning. You work with the hand you're dealt. Austin deserved better here. Now, just get out of the frame. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Another two out walk for Cornielle. He keeps playing with fire. So far he's escaped unscathed. Bottom of the sixth. Pitch count at 98. They'll bring Manfredi on. Massive effort from Cornielle. 

What you can't have Mr. Austin is a free pass after that DP. That's where you lose me. 

[biedergb]

Cornielle tries to complete 6. But a long at bat ends with a close pitch ball 4. His night may be done at almost 100 pitches 

[Joseph Zarr]

Runner takes 2B easily on a throw from Garcia's knees. Weak two bouncer. Austin has to buckle down. Slider outside. 1-2. He lays off. Tense moments. Change-up low. No nibbles. Nice pitch. 2-2. High outside heater - just missed. 3-2. Whewwww. Walk. Jeeeeeze.

LHP Mark Manfredi comes aboard and walks his batter on five pitches as well.

Come on, MEN! Step UP!

[wiguy94]

Morris Austin really struggling to throw strikes. 

[biedergb]

And Austin walks the bases loaded. Looks uncomfortable out there now.

[Joseph Zarr]

Manfredi gets up 0-2 on his next batter. He shuts the door on a swinging K. 

THAT IS STEPPING UP. GLORIOUS. 

[Joseph Zarr]

1 minute ago, biedergb said:

And Austin walks the bases loaded. Looks uncomfortable out there now.

He was up 1-2. He didn't walk them full btw. He gave it up via a single to RF. Tie game. UGLY stuff. 

[wiguy94]

And Austin blows the Mudcats 6-3 lead. Defense didn’t help him much but you just have to throw strikes.

[Joseph Zarr]

 This right here is my gripe with manager Nick Stanley. Right here. You need to get a pitcher up after those bad luck hits. Know the situation. After that two out walk post-DP. You need to pull Austin. Stanley does not know how to aggressively manage the Pen. Young manager. I get it. BUT, that was not a well-managed situation.

[biedergb]

Just now, Joseph Zarr said:

He was up 1-2. He didn't walk them full btw. He gave it up via a single to RF. Tie game. UGLY stuff. 

Yeah. I thought two on. But that runner jumping around at second caught his attention maybe two much on a few pitches- seemed to lose control the last two batters as a result. .

but not a great relief appearance for him. 

[Joseph Zarr]

The 6-5 situation is one thing. BUT, after Austin walks that next batter in a really weak display. In the very least, visit the mound. Get that pitcher up right there. Another runner gets aboard? I'm pulling him. 

[wiguy94]

Broca keeps the game tied. We head to the 7th and it's officially a bullpen game!

[wiguy94]

Don't think it can be emphasized enough how important winning this game is for the Mudcats. Going into Thursday down 1-0 facing Sykora is a recipe for disaster.

[wiguy94]

Juan Baez was just HBP in the head. He's down face first on the ground.

[wiguy94]

TAYDEN HALL! He crashes in on the sac bunt attempt and makes a sliding catch then spins around while on the ground and throws out the runner at 1B for a double play!

[wiguy94]

Jesus Broca is also struggling to throw strikes. Feels like the Mudcats bullpen is going to cost them the game today.

[wiguy94]

And the leadoff walk comes back to bite Broca. It's 7-6 Nats after a SB and 2 flyouts.

[biedergb]

welp. FredNats get the lead.

What a low,then a high and now a big time low.

The bullpen has absolutely let them down. Poor execution? Poor managing?

If the bats can't wake up, then it's tough tough sledding against one of the top SP prospects tomorrow.

Oh boy. Bummer so far

[wiguy94]

Braylon Payne draws a leadoff walk in the 8th. Time to get those wheels going.

[biedergb]

what the heck??

DiTuri strikes out and his momentum carries him like 6 inches into the plate, and they call intereference.

Really?

Really? At that time of the game? Particularly since the catcher had no chance.

Really umps? You choose that time to call that? After your horrendous out call in the 2nd against Yhoswar

Really?

[wiguy94]

Brutal. Di Turi chases a neck high FB for strike 3. Had chased 3 pitches in a row on full counts and leaked over home plate and gets interference called against him which means Braylon Payne who successfully stole 2B was ruled out. 

The moment has looked way too big for the Mudcats at many times tonight. Relievers unable to throw strikes. A bunch of errors. Bad throwing decisions. Bad baserunning. It's looking like this might be another year with a 1st round playoff exit for the Mudcats.