Sat. 8/30 - Mudcats Look to Dubanewicz in Playoff Chase Effort

[Jim Goulart]

This thread will be utilized for any minor league news Saturday.

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[Jake McKibbin]

Out of curiosity, what's the tiebreaker if the Mudcats tie with Fredericksburg?

[Joseph Zarr]

5 hours ago, Jake McKibbin said:

Out of curiosity, what's the tiebreaker if the Mudcats tie with Fredericksburg?

Well, funny you should ask. I've been eyeing this for awhile and this half has even more honest opportunity for Mudcats redemption. If you recall, the Mudcats had a first half golden opportunity vs Lynchburg. They led the division coming into that series. They were swept and faded hard and fast out of first half contention. 
 

The Mudcats lead the season series 8-6 over Fredericksburg. They also close their season with a final seven game series (rain out make-up DH) @ Fredericksburg. The division is essentially there for the taking. BUT we shouldn't overlook the fact that Fayetteville is only 1.5 GB of 1st place amd 1/2 G back of the Mudcats. Meanwhile, the Mudcats are losing their final organizational Home series vs last place Delmarva who is very clearly riding a heatwave of trade asset arrivals and draft picks.

[Ro Mueller]

It’s doubleheader day for Biloxi at Montgomery, with surging RHP Jaron DeBerry (24 IP, 4 R, 26 Ks in 4 AA starts) toeing the slab in Game One. SS Eduardo Garcia has an 11-game on-base streak.

[Ro Mueller]

Two hits (Spain, Burke) and a walk (Wilken) scored no runs in the top of the 1st, as Lara ground into an Areinamo-Barrios-3 double play.

It’s DeBerry time.

[Ro Mueller]

After 2 respectable starts in the Majors (10.1 IP, 5 ER, 11 Ks), RHP Chad Patrick will be on the mound for AAA Nashville tonight, seeking to lead them to a 3-2 home series lead over Charlotte. 1B Tyler Black is 9-for-22 during his 6-game hitting streak.

[Ro Mueller]

The penultimate home game of the Carolina Mudcats at Five County Stadium sees them needing a win to come back from a 1-3 series deficit against Delmarva. 19-year old RHP Jayden Dubanewicz (2.09 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 6.9 K/9 in 73.1 Low-A/ACL IP) has had a breakout campaign. C Yannic Walther has a 10-game on-base streak. 

[Ro Mueller]

22-year old RHP Travis Smith (3.07 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 6.1 K/9 in 93.2 Low-A/High-A IP) has also had a solid campaign and gets the call to help High-A Wisconsin turn around a 1-3 home series deficit against Quad Cities. SS Luis Pena is in a dry spell (1-for-30, though just 6 Ks).

[Ro Mueller]

Jaron DeBerry (8 allowed on thru 4 IP) and Ty Johnson (6 allowed on in 4 IP) both escaped from a few jams early, though DeBerry gave up a solo homer.

A Montgomery pitching change in the 5th inning may have opened the door: Restituyo single to left, Pratt 2-out infield single and an error scores a run. 1-1 thus far.

And now a Wilken walk and Burke 2-run double have Biloxi in front 3-1!

[Ro Mueller]

DeBerry’s effective but inefficient outing concluded at 87 pitches (4 innings).

Handed a 3-1 lead, LHP Nate Peterson goes BB-2B-ground out-HR and we’re tied 3-3.

Restituyo had an outfield assist on the double (to go along with his 2-2 day to lift his AVG to .189) or we’d be behind.

[Ro Mueller]

Mark Manfredi did his part (scoreless 6th and 7th), but Matt Wood was the only Shucker to reach base over the final 3 innings (6th inning single, 8th inning walk).

Travis MacGregor gave up a 2-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the 8th. Biloxi loses 5-3.

Biloxi has also lost this week's series (0-4) and they've got a 2nd game to play tonight.

[Ro Mueller]

Look who’s back!: Darrien Miller (first game in 18 days) is healthy and catching in Game 2 of AA Biloxi’s doubleheader at Montgomery. RHP Alexander Cornielle (4.11 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 8.2 K/9 in 111.2 IP) starts as they aim to snap a 4-game losing streak.

[biedergb]

That Mudcat offense is well …. Offensive😉

Seriously though tough sledding.  I really am starting to have doubts about Bitonti, who is 0-3 with 3 K tonight.

Payne has been battling something parts of the year so hard to know with him.

And DiTuri - bank on a good first half, but expect he will disappear in the second half.

Rest of the team is new to Carolina (no playing time there last year, and not on opening day roster except may Rodriguez and/or Lameda?)

[biedergb]

Dinges - big fly to RF. 2-run Dinges Dinger!

[biedergb]

Well TRats give up a run right back. 😔 After Dinges cut the lead in half, now it’s 5-2 after a HBP, SB, single.

And Carolina wasting a very solid effort by Dubanewicz and Renz.  3 R, only 1 ER, and 10 K to no walks! The pitching overall (starters at least) have been solid for Carolina. Offense and bullpen are the reason they are not able to take control of the playoff position.  Down 3-1 with 2 outs in the 9th. 

[biedergb]

And that is how the season goes. 2-out walks by Lameda and Holguin, the Walther RBI single. But Payne Ks. 

[biedergb]

Crazy play in Wisconsin as River Bandit hitter flies out to right center and Alastre has it …. Go off his glove 😳

But Nicasia gets to it and throws to Made who rifles to Peña and they get the force at second. 
Yup - you’re standard.9-8-6-4 force out. Just like they drew it up

wild play. And Cruz gets the next batter to end the inning.  T-Rats still down 5-2

I will watch the next half inning but may call it a night. 

[biedergb]

Hey I go to check the other scores and I missed another Blake Burke HR!! Wow he is staying hot in AA.

[biedergb]

Ok Nashville cruising for now. Patrick 5 shutout innings.

Shuckers lost the first game as noted earlier.  Up 1–0 mid-way through game 2. 
 

I’ll check in later.

[Joseph Zarr]

Looks like the sleeping Mudcats will be 2.0 GB after tonight Fayetteville is also trailing Myrtle Beach late. They would fall to 2.5 GB.

[markedman5]

Just crushed by Burke

 

[biedergb]

Well the sounds won. 10-0. Nice outing by Patrick and Tyler Black - is this a blip or the beginning of him bringing relevant again? Ask me in a few weeks.

Shuckers spoiled some timely hits by Burke, and a nice start by DeBerry - but his pitch count limited his impact on De Game ultimately.

And Dubanewicz (who along with DeBerry and Dorchies as 2024 draft picks are looking promising) had great start also foiled not by a bullpen (Renz another ‘24 pitcher) but an anemic offense.

And I’m not sure what is going with the T-Rats. Fischer is hitting decently enough, and Made seems to have transitioned well. Dinges is there and getting some big hits.  But not enough good pitching ( I mean other than Birchards no-hit 7 innings the other night), not enough hitting, and man that outfield has Tayden Hall, Luiyin Alastre, Daniel Guilarte and now Josh Adamczewski playing (along side true OF Nicasia).

Anyhoo. Some good stuff tonight. Not enough wins. And the Mudcats playoff hopes are just fading daily.

See you tomorrow.

[Joseph Zarr]

11 minutes ago, biedergb said:

Well the sounds won. 10-0. Nice outing by Patrick and Tyler Black - is this a blip or the beginning of him bringing relevant again? Ask me in a few weeks.

Shuckers spoiled some timely hits by Burke, and a nice start by DeBerry - but his pitch count limited his impact on De Game ultimately.

And Dubanewicz (who along with DeBerry and Dorchies as 2024 draft picks are looking promising) had great start also foiled not by a bullpen (Renz another ‘24 pitcher) but an anemic offense.

And I’m not sure what is going with the T-Rats. Fischer is hitting decently enough, and Made seems to have transitioned well. Dinges is there and getting some big hits.  But not enough good pitching ( I mean other than Birchards no-hit 7 innings the other night), not enough hitting, and man that outfield has Tayden Hall, Luiyin Alastre, Daniel Guilarte and now Josh Adamczewski playing (along side true OF Nicasia).

Anyhoo. Some good stuff tonight. Not enough wins. And the Mudcats playoff hopes are just fading daily.

See you tomorrow.

Black has a 7-Game hit streak that has helped bump his August numbers to .256/.440/.339. 21 K:20 BB. A really solid month. Hopefully the best is yet to come. The 2 2B and 1 HR as the sole XBH's (3rd HR of his entire season tonight). are certainly a thing.

Miles to go.

[Ro Mueller]

I’m assume that was a season-high crowd for Carolina: 6,308 fans. Too bad they couldn’t quite get the walk-off win. Another chance on Sunday. 

 

[Outlander]

Patrick has played a lot in the minors this season but have a feeling he starts a playoff game for the Brewers