WV Brew

Gatewood today: 3 K's in 3 AB plus 2 errors.

Mudcats aren't.

Mudcats swept in Tuesday doubleheader Pannone and McKenzie kept the Mudcats quiet in Tuesday's twin bill By Carolina Mudcats | April 18, 2017 11:36 PM ET Corbin Burnes started game 1 and went 5 innings. He gave up no runs on 3 hits and 4 walks while striking out 5. He really did not have the command he exhibited in his first 2 starts but was helped by 3 double plays. Brad Kuntz gave up 1 run in 2 innings and took the loss. Kodi Medeiros (3 1/3 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 5 R, 2 K) started game 2 and took the loss. Carolina Game 1 Box Score Carolina Game 2 Box Score Carolina Game Log Game 1 Carolina Game Log Game 2 Corey Ray was picked off in each game. The Hillcats' catcher from the Czech Republic, Martin Cervenka, had a HR and 4 RBI's in the nightcap.

Erceg back in the lineup, albeit as the DH (at least in game 1).

Mudcats rained out today.

Tarp on the field, nobody in the stands in Carolina. Late game at best. Erceg not in the lineup again so clearly there is some kind of an issue there.

Mudcats come alive late in 9-3 drubbing of Keys Jake Gatewood was 3-for-5 with three runs and three doubles By Greg Young / Carolina Mudcats | April 16, 2017 7:41 PM ET This was two games in one. The first half was dominated by Ofelky Peralta, the 19-year-old starting pitcher for the Keys. He allowed a triple to Corey Ray to open the game and that turned out to be the only hit the Mudcats had against him. He struck out 9 in 5 innings throwing probably 90% fastballs. The Mudcats did work him for 4 walks. The Mudcats destroyed the Keys bullpen in the other half of the game however. The Keys did not go to their customary lefthanders out of the bullpen for some reason. Corey Ray was 2-5, including the aforementioned triple and stole a base. Troy Stokes had the tying 2 run home run along with a walk and a stolen base. Jake Gatewood was 3-5 with 3 doubles in consecutive innings. The first of these hit near the top of the 25 foot right field wall. Jake is now hitting a cool .361 in the early going. Luis Aviles with another 2 hit game. Coner Harber (4 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 W, 3 K) started the game and really didn't have great command despite only giving up 1 run. I guess we have to credit him for battling (or at least Ned Yost might). I thought Quintin Torres-Costa (3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 5 K) threw very well but had some flares drop in on him which hurt. Jon Olczak (2 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 4 K, save) worked the final two innings and was very strong. He was really commanding his curve ball, which he has struggled with this year, which makes his fastball that much better. Carolina Box Score Carolina Game Log With the score 3-0 Keys: Carolina Bottom of the 6th Pitching Change: Franderlin Romero replaces Ofelky Peralta. Isan Diaz grounds out, shortstop Ricardo Andujar to first baseman Alex Murphy. Jake Gatewood doubles (2) on a fly ball to right fielder Steve Wilkerson. Luis Aviles singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Hays. Jake Gatewood scores. Troy Stokes Jr. homers (2) on a fly ball to left center field. Luis Aviles scores. Max McDowell lines out to right fielder Steve Wilkerson. Weston Wilson singles on a ground ball to third baseman Jomar Reyes. Wendell Rijo pops out to first baseman Alex Murphy in foul territory. And this put the game away: Carolina Bottom of the 7th Corey Ray strikes out swinging, catcher Yermin Mercedes to first baseman Alex Murphy. Trent Clark singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Hays. Isan Diaz singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Hays. Trent Clark to 3rd. Jake Gatewood doubles (3) on a line drive to right fielder Steve Wilkerson. Trent Clark scores. Isan Diaz to 3rd. Franderlin Romero intentionally walks Luis Aviles. Troy Stokes Jr. pops out to shortstop Ricardo Andujar. Max McDowell singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Hays. Isan Diaz scores. Jake Gatewood scores. Luis Aviles to 2nd. Pitching Change: Mike Burke replaces Franderlin Romero. Weston Wilson grounds into a force out, shortstop Ricardo Andujar to second baseman Drew Turbin. Max McDowell out at 2nd. Lucas Erceg has been out the last two games. I haven't heard any reason for that. Sorry. Wendell Rijo played 3rd today and got hit in the hand by a pitch. When it looked like he might have to come out, they started warming up Ghelfi. Maybe they would have moved Gatewood to 3rd and put Ghelfi at first? Not sure. In any case, Rijo stayed in the game.

Someone was asking about the Gatewood interview where he was talking about getting glasses. Here it is: Gatewood Interview

Ray has been added to Carolina roster. Brandon Diaz to the DL.

I like to look at some stats once in a while. The Mudcats have faced a steady diet of lefties in the early going. Frederick even seemed to bring in an extra one for the series. Surprising then, OPS L/R Erceg: 0.895/0.527 I. Diaz 0.801/0.356 Clark 0.940/0.449 The right handed hitters seem to be more in alignment with what you might expect (except for Aviles to a minor extent). Gatewood 1.042/0.807 Aviles 0.873/0.928 Stokes 0.944/0.570 Obviously, it's very early yet. Just something to think about.

Peralta matches career high with 9 Ks in 5-1 loss to Frederick Peralta and Diplan combined to total 15 strikeouts in Saturday's loss By Greg Young / Carolina Mudcats | April 15, 2017 9:45 PM ET As mentioned above, Peralta was pitching while there were shadows between home and the pitcher and both pitchers were racking up strikeouts while the hitters were having trouble seeing. Freddie Peralta (5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 9 K, 1 HR) took the loss. Marcos Diplan (4 IP, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K) finished for the Mudcats. Max McDowell had 2 hits including a double. Not much else worth mentioning for the offense. Carolina Box Score Carolina Game Log Wuilder Rodriguez was activated before the game while Jordan Yamamoto went on the DL.

Peralta was pitching in the twilight with shadows between home and the pitcher. Frederick's pitcher struck something like 6 in 4 innings also.

Erceg and Ponce lead the way for the Mudcats Lucas Erceg had two doubles and two RBIs in Carolina's first home win By Carolina Mudcats | April 14, 2017 11:45 PM ET Cody Ponce (7 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K) started and got his second win for the Mudcats. The Keys had a strategy to swing early in the count rather than hit from behind as happened in their last game against Ponce. They had some success with that getting 4 hits in the second inning alone. Brad Kuntz and Jon Olczak finished out the game. Lucas Erceg (3-4, 2 2B, 1 R, 2 RBI) led the offense. Trent Clark was 1-3 with a walk and a stolen base. Luis Aviles (2-3, W, 2 SB), and Troy Stokes (3B, outfield assist) also contributed. Mitch Ghelfi with another multi-hit night (2-4). Carolina Box Score Carolina Game Log

Late Keys rally too much for Mudcats The Mudcats lost 5-3 in front of an opening night crowd of 4,656 By Greg Young / Carolina Mudcats | April 14, 2017 12:02 AM ET Eric Hanhold was the starter (5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K). He pitched into the 6th inning when he gave up 3 straight hits and 2 runs which tied the game. The Mudcats put up 3 runs on Cody Sedlock, who had held them scoreless in Frederick. Kodi Medeiros went 3 innings, giving up 2 runs and taking the loss. He walked none and struck out 2. Jake Gatewood misplayed two foul popups in the 9th which helped lead to the go ahead runs. Mitch Ghelfi led the offense with 2 hits in 4 at bats. Jake Gatewood was 1-3 with a walk. Trent Clark had a double in 4 at bats. Carolina Box Score Carolina Game Log

Medeiros just hit 102 according to the stadium gun. They do say it runs high.

Mudcats take series finale in Wilmington, 3-2 in extras Mitch Ghelfi was 3-for-4 with a RBI triple in Wednesday's series clinching victory By Greg Young / Carolina Mudcats | April 12, 2017 3:32 PM ET Another nice start from Corbin Burnes as previously mentioned in this thread (6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 W, 4 K, 8/4 GO/FO). Mitch Ghelfi was 3-4 with a triple which led to the first two Mudcat runs. In the Wilmington game story, Jamie Quirk says that triple should have been caught but Ghelfi has been hitting well so far this year and was due for a bit of luck. Colton Cross went 2 innings striking out 3 but giving up the game tying home run. We probably didn't expect Quintin Torres-Costa to pick up the first win for the Hawaiian contingent but it happened today. Nate Griep got his second save but he's making it tough. The first game of the series he gave up a leadoff triple before stranding that runner with 3 straight strikeouts. This time he struck out the first two before issuing 2 walks and uncorking 2 wild pitches before striking out the final batter. Troy Stokes Jr got the game winning sacrifice fly. The winning run was scored by Carlos Belonis who got only his 2nd hit of the year to start the 10th inning. Carolina Box Score Carolina Game Log Here is your 10th inning: Carolina Top of the 10th Pitching Change: Franco Terrero replaces Colin Rodgers. Carlos Belonis singles on a line drive to center fielder Elier Hernandez. With Brandon Diaz batting, wild pitch by Franco Terrero, Carlos Belonis to 2nd. Brandon Diaz out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Franco Terrero to second baseman D. J. Burt. Carlos Belonis to 3rd. Troy Stokes Jr. out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Roman Collins. Carlos Belonis scores. Luis Aviles called out on strikes. Wilmington Bottom of the 10th Pitching Change: Nate Griep replaces Quintin Torres-Costa. Wander Franco strikes out swinging. Travis Maezes strikes out swinging. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Tanner Stanley replaces Nathan Esposito. Tanner Stanley walks. With Nicky Lopez batting, wild pitch by Nate Griep, Tanner Stanley to 2nd. Nicky Lopez walks. With D. J. Burt batting, wild pitch by Nate Griep, Tanner Stanley to 3rd. Nicky Lopez to 2nd. D. J. Burt strikes out swinging. The Carolina home season starts tomorrow. Still time to sign up for MilbTV if you are so inclined.

Another 2 lefties faced. The Mudcats are going to see a steady diet of them. I suppose that's good for development but maybe not so good for winning games.

Mudcats have an early (10:30 ET) start on Wednesday.

Errors prove costly in 3-2 loss in Wilmington Luis Aviles committed three crucial errors in the game deciding seventh By Greg Young / Carolina Mudcats | April 11, 2017 11:30 PM ET Trent Clark leading off for the Carolina Mudcats on opening night in Frederick, MD on April 7, 2017. (Patrick Cavey - MiLB) Jodan Yamamoto (5 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 2 K) was the starter followed by Conor Harber (1 2/3 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 2 K). Brad Kuntz appeared to get the Mudcats out of a bases loaded, 2 out jam when he induced a ground ball to short but it went off the chest of Luis Aviles and the throw to first was wild which allowed the tying and lead runs to score. Luis Aviles had 2 walks and 2 stolen bases. Trent Clark with a double and Lucas Erceg (1-3, IBB, RBI) contributed on offense. Max McDowell also stole 2 bases. The rest of the box score: Carolina Box Score Isan Diaz had his second hat trick of the season and has now struck out 9 times in 20 at bats. Trent Clark also has 9 strike outs in 19 at bats. Carolina Game Log Wilmington Bottom of the 7th D. J. Burt flies out to center fielder Trent Clark. Elier Hernandez reaches on a fielding error by shortstop Luis Aviles. Travis Maezes strikes out on a foul tip. Anderson Miller walks. Elier Hernandez to 2nd. Chase Vallot walks. Elier Hernandez to 3rd. Anderson Miller to 2nd. Pitching Change: Brad Kuntz replaces Conor Harber. Roman Collins reaches on a fielding error by shortstop Luis Aviles. Elier Hernandez scores. Anderson Miller scores. Chase Vallot to 3rd. Roman Collins to 2nd. Throwing error by shortstop Luis Aviles. Wander Franco strikes out swinging. Weston Wilson was beaned in the 9th and had to leave the game.

Diplan, Peralta and Griep lead Mudcats to nail-biting win Marcos Diplan and Freddy Peralta combined to no-hit the Blue Rocks through 7.0 innings on Monday By Greg Young / Carolina Mudcats | April 10, 2017 11:17 PM ET The Mudcats managed only one hit in this game but made it stand up in a 2-1 win. Marcos Diplan (5 IP, 0 H, 3 BB, 5 K) started and got the win. He was followed by Freddie Peralta (3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K) and Nate Griep (1 IP, 1 H, 3 K). After giving up 3 straight hits and one run in the 8th inning, Freddie Peralta escaped a first and third, nobody out jam with no further trouble. Nate Griep allowed a triple to the lead off man in the 9th and then struck out 3 straight to close out the game. Lucas Erceg's first inning single was the only hit in the game for the Mudcats. Walks led to both Mudcat runs. Carolina Box Score Carolina Game Log Wilmington Bottom of the 9th Pitching Change: Nate Griep replaces Freddy Peralta. Brandon Downes triples (2) on a fly ball to left fielder Troy Stokes. Anderson Miller strikes out swinging. Chase Vallot called out on strikes. Roman Collins called out on strikes.

I have now linked the Isan Diaz double play from yesterday's game in the Mudcats' thread. Watch Cody Ponce's reaction to get an idea how good this play was. Link is to Cody's twitter feed.

Here's that double play from Isan Diaz in Sunday's game at Frederick from Cody Ponce's twitter feed: https://twitter.com/Cody_Ponce48/status/851507252049719296

opening day highlights from Hagerstown TV Go to about the halfway mark for highlights to start. Nice catch by Troy Stokes and a hit by Luis Aviles included in this package.

Ponce dominates Keys as Mudcats take series The Mudcats clinched a season opening series victory on Sunday Beautiful day in Frederick today with a beautiful result. Just about a perfect game from the Mudcats to take the opening series 2-1 in Frederick. Cody Ponce (4 H, 0 BB, 5 K) went 7 innings and was in command pretty much the whole way. The Mudcats were quite good defensively this whole series capped by a spectacular Arcia-like double play stared by Isan Diaz that pleased even the Keys fans. Hopefully, a replay of that play will exist somewhere in the bowels of the internet or you will have to take my word for it. Wendell Rijo got the start at second base (1-3, BB, 1 R, 1 RBI) and got the scoring started with a 2 out RBI single. Trent Clark was 1-5 with a HR and put the ball at the fence at the 400 foot sign in his next at bat. He must have got some ribbing from the bench because he said "That's all I got" when he came back in the dugout. Luis Aviles (2-4, 2B, BB, RBI) was the DH today and had another strong game. Isan Diaz (3-4, BB, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB) with a strong game after struggling at the plate on Saturday. Jake Gatewood was 2-3 with 2 walks. Really the Keys were trying to work around him all series. Troy Stokes with 2 singles and a stolen base. The rest of the box score: Carolina Box Score Carolina Game Log General comments since I attended all 3 games: Jake Gatewood was really the best player on the field in this series. He made every defensive play and saved an error or two with his glove. Ever since he worked on his strike two hitting last year he has been a changed hitter. He seems to be more confident in letting pitches go early in the count knowing he can stay alive if the count goes to strike two. Every at bat you expected him to hammer the ball if it was over the plate. Lucas Erceg was very good in the field making a few good stops. I think his swing was slightly off but I'm not too worried about it. He will come around. Isan Diaz made several good plays in the field as well. I'm not sure having 3 of the first 4 hitters left handed works that well. It seemed like the Keys were always going to bring in a LOOGY late in the game when that part of the order came up with the game on the line. When Ray gets back, it will be even worse. The bullpen is somewhat of a question mark. I guess we'll see.

Sedlock and Keys stifle Mudcats in Saturday matinee The Keys defeated the Mudcats 5-1 behind a dominant start by Cody Sedlock No heroics this time. Sedlock was commanding all his pitches. After a 4 pitch walk to Trent Clark, the Mudcats managed only a ground ball single to left and an infield single off the pitcher until the Keys' bullpen came in. Carolina Box Score Jake Gatewood with a homerun and, yes, also a walk. He also has looked very good in the field. Kodi Medeiros with kind of an okay perfomance. Nothing great but nothing horrible either. Carolina Game Log