Ben Parker - 2-3 2 1B, RU
MUDCATS ELIMINATED; END 2009 SEASON WITH 19-8 RECORD
The Mudcats were officially eliminated from the 2009 playoffs after losing to the White Sox 10-3. The Mudcats finished their last 10 games going 6-4 and not producing very much offense or getting very good pitching. The Mudcats battled to the end and eventually ran out of gas against a great Sox team. The Mudcats outhit the Sox 9-8 today and still lost by 7 runs. They didn't catch any breaks and didn't get the job done when it mattered.
Chris Tuttle (3-1) suffered his first loss of the season going 6 innings and giving up 8 earned runs. Tuttle did manage 8 strikeouts on the mound. 3B Ben Parker 2-3 2 1B, RU; SS Preston Owen 2-4 2 1B got 2 hits a piece to help the offense.
The Mudcats will take a long rest until March 2010 when they get back on the field!!!
Preston Owen - 1-4 1B, RU
MUDCATS FACE ELIMINATION WITH 11-2 LOSS TO SOX
Not much went right for the Cats in an 11-2 loss Saturday to the White Sox. They didn't make plays, they didn't get timely hitting, and they made bad pitches. The Mudcats must win the next 2 games vs the Sox to move on to the Championship series, and if they lose tomorrow then the season is over. Aaron Smith (7-2) suffered the loss going 6 1/3 innings surrendering 12 hits and 6 earned runs. It was a combination of bad defense and timely Sox hitting that gave Smith his 2nd loss of the year. Travis Barlow came on in relief to stop the bleeding.
The Cats managed 8 hits and left an astounding 12 runners on base. They left the bases loaded 3 times in 7 innings and never had a rally of any kind. C Brendan Chauret 2-3 2 1B was the only Mudcat to have multiple hits and SS Preston Owen 1-4 1B, RU had a great day defensively.
The Mudcats play again tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. at Downs Field to try and force a Game 3.
Mike Pumo - 3-3 2 2B, HR, 4 RU, 4 RBI
PUMO LEADS CATS INTO PLAYOFFS; CATS WIN 15-3
Mike Pumo had the kind of day Friday that earned him an All-American ballot last season. Pumo was 3-3 2 2B, HR, HBP, 4 RU, 4 RBI and lead the Cats into the playoffs with a 15-3 victory over the Black Sox. The Mudcats gathered 15 hits on the day and the offense seems to be rolling into the playoffs as they take a team average of .408 into the post season. RF Jesse Bogan 1-3 BB, HR, RU, 4 RBI, who added a grand slam; CF Scott Dodge 2-3 2 1B, BB, 3 RU, SB; and 2B Steven Smolinsky 2-2 2 1B, RU, RBI also had great days at the plate.
Troy Green (2-1) pitched 4 strong innings to earn his second win of the season. Green only allowed 1 earned run on 4 hits, and walked 2 while striking out 4 batters. Jamie League earned the 2 inning save walking 1 and striking out 3 batters. The pitching was solid all season despite 5 league losses. The team ERA was a very respectable 2.64 and the staff struck out 196 batters in only 154 innings.
The Mudcats now focus their attention towards the White Sox who they defeated 2 out of 3 times in the regular season. The Mudcats will play a best-of-three series with the Sox starting August 1st at 4:00 p.m. at Downs Field.
Derek Wallace - 1-2 HR, RU, 2 RBI
MUDCATS DEFEAT BLUES TO CLINCH #2 SEED IN PLAYOFFS
The Mudcats cruised to a 9-1 win over the Blues Sunday afternoon to clinch the #2 seed in the playoffs. The Mudcats will have a first round bye and will await the winner of the White-Sox and Titans series. The Mudcats were 2-1 vs each of those 2 teams this season. Aaron Smith (7-1) got the win striking out 6 hitters and allowing only 1 run on 2 hits. The Mudcats scored 4 runs in the 2nd and 4th innings to break the game wide open.
Derek Wallace 1-2 HR, RU, 2 RBI hit a 2-run homer in the 4th inning to ignite the Cats. DH Scott Dodge 1-1 2B, BB, SB, 2 RU, RBI; 1B Mike Pumo 1-2 2B, RBI; 2B Steven Smolinsky 1-2 2B, 2 RU, RBI; and EH Ben Parker 1-1 1B, BB, RBI provided some offense as the Cats closed the door on the Blues.
The Mudcats have 1 more regular season game vs the Black-Sox Friday at Downs before the start of playoffs.
Chris Tuttle - 7 IP, 3 HI, 2 RU, 1 ER, 9 SO
TUTTLE DOMINATES TEXANS; MUDCATS SWEEP RIVALS
Chris Tuttle (3-0) threw a 7 inning gem today vs the rival Texans giving up only 1 earned run and 3 hits while striking out 9 hitters. Tuttle got his 3rd win of the season and is really starting to find his groove heading into the playoffs. The Cats won the game 4-2 and took all 3 games of the series vs their rival, the Texans. The Cats won all 3 games vs the Texans and outscored them 21-13 in the series. The Cats now need a little help from the White-Sox tomorrow to be back in first place assuming the Cats win as well vs the Blues.
The Cats got a great offensive return from LF Jesse Bogan 1-2 1B, 3 RBI who knocked in 3 of the 4 runs on the day. Bogan hit a 2 out slider in the bottom of the 3rd inning to left field driving in 2 runs, and also had a sacrifice fly in the 2nd inning. The Cats also received 2 hits a piece from 1B Tim Landy 2-3 1B, 2B, RU; and 2B Steven Smolinsky 2-3 1B, 2B.
The Cats play the Blues tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. at Downs Field as they continue the 2009 campaign.
Steven Smolinsky - 3-4 3 1B, RU, 4 RBI
MUDCATS LOSE BACK-TO-BACK GAMES FOR FIRST TIME IN 2 YEARS
The Mudcats have found themselves in a bit of a funk lately and have managed to lose 2 games in a row for the first time in 2 years. With the loss, the Cats are now 2.5 games out of 1st place and have now dropped to 3rd place. Although mathematically the Cats could still wind up in 1st place, it looks unlikely the way the Texans are playing of late. The Mudcats lost Tuesday night to the Rays 11-10 in a wild game where the Cats actually out hit the Rays 16 to 8. Walks, errors, and a few timely hits allowed the Rays to take the game and the series from the Cats. This was also the only time the Cats have dropped a best of three series to anyone in 2 years.
Starter Troy Green didn't have his best stuff and the Rays took advantage of it touching Green for 8 runs on 6 hits in 2+ innings. Chris Garcia (1-1) got the loss in relief, but pitched well allowing only 3 runs in 5+ innings on only 2 hits. The Rays just hit well with men in scoring position all night long.
2B Steven Smolinsky 3-4 3 1B, RU, 4 RBI; and CF Jamie League 3-4 2 1B, 2B, 2 RU, RBI provided much of the offense with 3 hits a piece. C Brendan Chauret 2-4 2 1B, RU, RBI; P Chris Garcia 2-4 2 1B, RU; and RF Scott Dodge 2-4 2 1B, RU also gave the Cats some offense with 2 hits a piece.
The Mudcats play the (19-3) first place Texans this Saturday at 1:00 at Downs in a must win game for both teams. Come out and support the Cats!
Mike Pumo - 1-2 1B, BB, SB
WHITE-SOX TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ERRORS TO DEFEAT CATS 6-1
The Cats achilles heel, their defense, cost them a crucial division game today. The Cats committed 7 errors to allow 6 runs and ultimately could not come back to win. The Cats are now 16-4 in league play and a game out of first place with 4 games left. Aaron Smith (6-1) suffered his first loss of the season and didn't seem to have his best stuff. The White-Sox plated 1 run in the fourth off an error, 3 runs in the fifth with a 2 out error, and 2 more in the sixth after 4 consecutive errors were made. Jamie League and Troy Green came on in relief of Smith and shut the door from there.
The Cats hitting was the worst it has been all year only managing a season low 5 hits and also a season low 1 run. They never put together a big inning and really didn't do much of anything offensively. SS Preston Owen, LF Scott Dodge, 1B Tim Landy, RF Ben Himes, and DH Mike Pumo got the only Mudcat hits of the day.
The Mudcats play Tuesday night vs the (11-9-1) Rays in Manor.
Jimmie Naumann - 1-1 1B, RBI
NAUMANN CARRIES OFFENSE, AND TUTTLE JUST MISSES NO-HITTER
Chris Tuttle (2-0) just missed a no-hitter as he gave up a 2-out single in the last inning, and the Mudcats won 14-0 over the A's. Tuttle was spectacular on the mound striking out 6 hitters and making some great defensive plays as well. Tuttle at one point stabbed a shot up the middle with his bare hand to preserve the no-hit bid. The A's were baffled all night and would only manage just that one hit off Tuttle.
The offense was lead by 1B Jimmie Naumann 1-1 1B, RBI who started a late rally to put the game away. Naumann ripped a 3-1 pitch past first base to drive in Joe Taylor. Other offensive standouts included SS Preston Owen 3-4 2 1B, 2B, SB, 2 RU, RBI; 3B Ben Parker 2-3 2 1B, RBI; LF Derek Wallace 2-3 1B, 2B, 3 RBI; and 1B Mike Pumo 1-1 1B, BB, SB, 2 RU, 2 RBI. The Mudcats had 15 total hits in the game.
The Mudcats will play again Sunday vs the White Sox (16-5) in a critical division game as the regular season is coming to a close.
Troy Green - 5 IP, 0 RU, 2 BB, 5 HI, 5 SO
GREEN AND TUTTLE SHUT-OUT BLACK SOX 9-0
Troy Green (1-1) threw 5 scoreless innings, and Chris Tuttle got his first save throwing 2 scoreless innings, in a 9-0 defeat of the Black Sox Sunday at LBJ High School. Green scattered 5 hits and 2 walks and struck out 5 batters for his first win of the season. Green, who has signed at UT Pan American was a late addition after playing in Clarinda, Iowa for the A's. Green has been stellar in both starts and gives the Cats another left-handed starter to go along with Scott Dodge who is (4-1). The Mudcats pitching staff is picking up steam as they head into the playoffs to make another run at a championship in 2009.
The hitting was lead by SS Preston Owen 3-3 3 1B, HBP, 2 RU, SB and C Brendan Chauret 2-4 2 2B, SB, 3 RBI. The Cats managed 13 hits with Green and RF Jamie League also adding 2 hits a piece. The Mudcats played their first game in a long time without commiting an error and the defense seems to be improving of late. 3B Ben Parker and SS Preston Owen have been solid on the left side of the infield and have found their spots secured.
The Cats will have an 11 day break before playing 6 games in 15 days leading up to the playoffs starting. The Mudcats are in a tight race and every game will be crucial down the stretch.
Steven Smolinsky - 2-4 2 1B, 2 RU, 2 RBI
CATS BACK IN FIRST PLACE AFTER WINNING ROUND 2 OF RIVALRY
The # 2 national ranked Mudcats defeated their rival, the Texans, 12-8 Saturday to regain first place in the league. The Mudcats blew the game wide open with a 10 run fifth inning that included 9 hits. After the Texans starter had stifled the Cats for four innings allowing only 1 hit, the Cats made some plate adjustments and got things rolling. RF Ben Himes 2-4 1B, 2B, 2 RU, and 2B Steven Smolinsky 2-4 2 1B, 2 RU, 2 RBI had two hits a piece in the inning serving as catalysts for the inning. Every Mudcats in the lineup had at least 1 hit as a total team effort served the Cats well on their way to winning their 14th game of the season.
Aaron Smith (6-0) shook off a rough first inning where he gave the Texans four runs on an error, a hit batter, and a wild pitch, in order to capture his sixth win. Smith retired 13 of the last 19 hitters he faced going six innings and striking out 5 batters. Jamie League came on in the 7th inning to earn his 3rd save of the season. The Mudcats are now 5-1 vs the three teams directly below them in the standings. "We measure our success by how we play against the best teams around us, and so far we are meeting the challenge," Mike Dunn said after the game.
The Mudcats will take a week off before playing next Sunday the 28th vs the Black Sox.
Scott Dodge - 2-3 2 1B, 2 SB, RU
CATS FALL TO SECOND PLACE AFTER 4-3 LOSS TO JAXX
The Mudcats fell into second place in the division for the first time in 2 years after a 4-3 loss to the Diamond Jaxx Tuesday night. The Mudcats fielding was again, not good as they gave the Jaxx 3 unearned runs and several base runners with errors. The Jaxx took advantage and took out the Cats. Starter Troy Green (0-1) threw well in the loss going 5 innings and striking out 8 batters. Green has rejoined the Cats after a brief stint with the Clarinda, Iowa A's. Chris Garcia threw 2 innings of scoreless relief as well to keep his season ERA at (0.00).
The Mudcats only managed 8 hits with CF Scott Dodge 2-3 2 1B, 2 SB, RU having yet another great hitting day. Dodge is tearing up the league this season offensively and looks to keep things going for a title run. The Cats could never seem to get a big inning all night.
The Mudcats will play a critical game Saturday vs the (14-2) Texans in a game that very well could decide the regular season title.
Jesse Bogan - 3-4 2 2B, HR, 2 RU, 5 RBI
BOGAN LAUNCHES MONSTER HOME-RUN IN DOMINATION OF TITANS 21-7
Jesse Bogan launched an estimated 475 foot home-run to left field Sunday in a route of the Titans 21-7. The Cats had 19 hits on the day and are now hitting (.410) as a team. Bogan 3-4 2 2B, HR, 2 RU, 5 RBI had another great day and his fourth inning blast is estimated by many to be the farthest home-run to be hit at Downs Field in recent history. The Cats were down 4-1 after the first inning, but the bats came alive in the second inning as they scored 8 runs to go ahead 9-4. 2B Jamie League 4-4 3 1B, HR, SB, 3 RU, 7 RBI had a career day as a Mudcat as he contributed 4 of the 19 hits. Other great days included SS Steven Smolinsky 3-4 3 1B, 2 SB, 3 RU; 1B Mike Pumo 2-4 2 1B, 2 RU, 3 RBI; CF Scott Dodge 2-3 2 1B, 3 RU, BB, RBI; and LF Derek Wallace 2-3 2 1B, 2 RU.
Starter Chris Tuttle (1-0) was a little shaky in the first inning, but found his groove to get his first win of the season. Tuttle was effective mixing a hard slider with a 90 mph fastball. Travis Barlow got his second save in relief. The Mudcats will play again Tuesday as they look to sweep the season series from the pesky Diamond Jaxx.
Derek Wallace - 3-3 2 2B, HR, BB, 3 RU, RBI
WALLACE PLAYS "WALL-BALL" AS CATS BEAT A'S 12-3
Derek Wallace has been putting on a hitting display this season and Tuesday night was no exception. Wallace 3-3 2 2B, HR, BB, 3 RU, RBI had hit the top of the fence in left field twice before finally putting one out of the park in his final at-bat of the night. Wallace said "I made sure I hit the last one far enough that it wouldn't hit the fence again," after the game. The Cats won 12-3 and are now 12-2 in League play. They are sharing first place with their rivals, the Texans. The Mudcats had 18 hits including 3 from 3B Ben Parker, and 2 each from P Scott Dodge, CF Jamie League, 2B Aaron Smith, DH Chris Garcia, and C Brendan Chauret. The Cats scored in every inning but the second in route to victory.
Scott Dodge (4-1) earned his fourth victory and lowered his ERA to 1.70 on the season. Dodge scattered 6 hits and struck out 8 batters. Chris Garcia earned a 2 inning save striking out 6 batters. Garcia has now fanned 22 batters in only 9 innings of work. The Mudcats pitching staff is starting to settle in, and they are finding roles for everyone as the season moves on. With 10 games left before the playoffs, the Mudcats are in great shape with 2 huge games vs the Texans looming on the horizon that could very well decide the division.
Jamie League - 3-5 2 2B, HR, 2 RU, 6 RBI
LEAGUE SLAMS JAXX IN 9-6 VICTORY
Jamie League came up huge in the fourth inning with a grand slam that put the Cats up 5-1. The Mudcats were struggling with the Jaxx starter before League's slam. League 3-5 2 2B, HR, 2 RU, 6 RBI had a great day breaking out of a season slump. 3B Ben Parker 3-4 3 1B, 3 RU and 1B Tim Landy 2-5 2 1B, RBI also had big days hitting.
Travis Barlow notched his first Mudcats victory with 5 innings of baseball striking out 3 batters. League came on in the sixth to work his second save of the season. The Mudcats are now 11-2 in League play.
Jesse Bogan - 2-3 1B, HR, RU, 2 RBI
SMITH AND GARCIA DOMINATE WHITE-SOX 7-1
Aaron Smith (5-0) gave yet another dominating performance going 5 innings allowing 1 run on 4 hits and striking out 5 batters. Smith is the best pitcher in the league for a reason. He throws strikes and he throws hard. In 25 innings this season, Smith has walked only 2 batters. Chris Garcia then came in to get the 2 inning save with a fastball ranging from 91-94 mph on the radar gun. The Cats pitching today was tremendous in putting the White-Sox a full 2 games back off the division lead.
The hitting was lead by LF Jesse Bogan who hit a 1st inning 2-run homer to start the Cats off. Bogan 2-3 1B, HR, RU, 2 RBI got an elevated fastball and drove it out to left-field to give the Cats a 3-0 lead. Then in the 2nd inning, SS Steven Smolinsky 1-3 HR, RU, 2 RBI hit a 2-run homer to put the Cats up 5-0. The Mudcats never lost the lead after that. DH Scott Dodge 2-2 2 1B, BB, 2 RU, 2 SB; and 3B Joe Taylor 2-3 2 2B, RU, 2 RBI also had good days at the plate.
The Cats are 10-2 in League play and now tied with the rival Texans who are also 10-2. The Cats are halfway through League play and the division race is starting to tighten up. Go Cats!!!!!
Jamie League - 3-4 2 1B, 2B, RBI
MUDCATS GIVE TITANS 4-3 WIN WITH BAD DEFENSE
The achilles heel of the Mudcats finally got them Friday night as they fell 4-3 to the (4-6) Titans. Two costly errors led to all 4 of the Titans runs and a loss for the Cats. "We have to play better defense from now on, or we are going to get beat more often," Brendan Chauret said after the game. Scott Dodge (3-1) took his first loss despite giving up 4 unearned runs. Dodge, and Travis Barlow combined to hold the Titans to 5 hits on the day and struck out 7 hitters.
The offense was rusty only managing 3 runs on 10 hits, which were team lows for the season and ran into a tremendous pitcher from the Titans. "He pitched well using four pitches effectively and kept us from having a big inning all night long," said Ben Carter after the game. The Cats definitely were rusty after a 26 day layoff, but have to tip their hat to a great pitching performance from the Titans hurler. The Cats lone bright spots were CF Jamie League 3-4 2 1B, 2B, RBI; RF Tim Landy 2-4 2 1B; and P Scott Dodge who was 2-2 2 1B, BB, 2 RU.
The Cats will play Sunday vs the (8-3) White-Sox in a battle for first place at LBJ at 1:00 p.m.
Chris Garcia - 5 IP, 1 HI, 1 BB, 12 SO
GARCIA STRIKES OUT 12 IN DEBUT TO BEAT BLUES 14-1
Chris Garcia brought much needed relief to an over worked pitching staff with a 12 strikeout performance vs the Blues. Garcia (1-0) took a no-hitter into the 5th inning and was amazing in his 1st start for 2009. Garcia brings a power pitching style that could lead him to the June amateur draft in a few weeks. "From what I saw today, Chris is very draftable. He throws hard and has a wicked slider. He is ready," said Mike Dunn after the game. Nevertheless, he will add depth to a strong Mudcats team that is now 9-1 in league play.
The hitting was lead by DH Darrell Edgar 3-3 2 1B, 2B, HBP, RU, 3 RBI; RF Jesse Bogan 2-3 2 2B, 2 RU, 2 RBI; and 2B Jon Tapia 3-4 3 1B, RU, RBI. The Cats collected 13 hits on the day while drawing 10 walks. The Mudcats have a week off before facing their division rival, the Texans (7-2). The winner of this game will have a leg up on the division crown. The game is at 1:00 at Downs this Saturday.
Aaron Smith - 6 IP, O RU, 7 SO
WALLACE, WALKER, HIMES LEAD CATS OVER RAYS 12-0
The Mudcats avenged a loss to the Rays 3 days ago by run ruling them on Sunday 12-0 to take back 1st place in the division. LF Derek Wallace 3-3 2 1B, 2B, 2 RU, 3 SB, 2 RBI; 1B David Walker 2-2 2 1B, BB, SB, 2 RU; and RF Ben Himes 2-3 2B, HR, SB, RU, 3 RBI provided the offense for the Mudcats who had 14 hits on the day. 2B Darrell Edgar and EH Tim Landy also had 2 hits a piece on the day.
12 runs and 14 hits were more than enough for all-american pitcher Aaron Smith (4-0) who has been absolutely dominating to start the season. Smith threw 6 innings, striking out 7 batters and giving up 0 runs. A complete game shutout for possibly the league's best pitcher. The Mudcats have settled on 3 starters that are really starting to get comfortable on the mound. Smith, Scott Dodge, and Travis Barlow are a combined 7-1 on the year and are anchoring the staff.
The Mudcats have 5 days off before playing again Saturday vs the Blues in Manor.
David Walker 2-2 2 1B, BB, 2 RU, 3 RBI
MUDCATS BASH THE BLUES 15-3 TO REBOUND AFTER LOSS
Joe Taylor has been on fire lately and he hit with a 2-run homerun to left field that ended the game early in the 5th due to the run rule. Taylor 2-4 1B, HR, 2 RU, 2 RBI has now homered in 3 straight games and is hitting.455 now. The Mudcats were back on track with 13 hits and 15 runs just after a dismal offensive day this past Thursday night. 1B David Walker 2-2 2 1B, 2 RU, 3 RBI; SS Jon Tapia 2-3 2 1B, 3 RBI; and RF Jesse Bogan 1-2 2B, BB, 2 RU had great days at the plate and were a much needed spark to the offense. The offense has been producing despite the struggles of all-american 1B Mike Pumo and CF Jamie League. "This just shows you the depth we have on our team. When Mike and I are struggling, we have plenty of guys that aren't. This team is loaded and we just need to start contributing more. That's all there is to it," League said after the game.
Scott Dodge (3-0) picked up his 3rd win of the season with 5 innings striking out 8 hitters and allowing 0 earned runs. All 3 Blues runs were by errors as the Mudcats are still struggling defensively. Dodge has proven to be a key starter for the Mudcats this season. He improves with each outing on the mound.
The Mudcats are back in action Sunday afternoon against the (5-1) Rays who handed them their first loss of the season. Come out and support the Cats!
Steven Smolinsky 3-3 3 1B, RU, SB, RBI
MUDCATS SUFFER FIRST LEAGUE LOSS, 6-3 TO RAYS
It was not their night. Although the Mudcats equaled the Rays in hits, they did not equal the Rays in runs. The Mudcats lost their first league game Thursday night 6-3 to the Rays who are now 1/2 a game behind them. 2 Mudcats errors cost them big innings in the first and third which led to 5 early runs. The Mudcats defense has not been very good this season and it finally showed against a good Rays team. "When you don't play good defense, you usually lose," Manager David Pratt said after the game. This was all too true.
The story of the night was also the sudden lack of offense that the Cats showed. After scoring 34 runs in the last 2 games, the Cats managed only 3 runs against the Rays and could never seem to string together a big inning. SS Steven Smolinsky 3-3 3 1B, RU, SB, RBI and 3B Joe Taylor 2-3 1B, HR, SB, RU, RBI were the lone bright spots for the Cats.
The Mudcats have 2 big games this weekend with the Blues on Saturday and a rematch with the Rays on Sunday.
Jason McMinn - 2-3 2B, HR, HBP, 2 RU, 2 RBI
MUDCATS SET RECORD IN 15-3 WIN OVER TITANS
The Mudcats sent a record 21 hitters to the plate in a 14 run 1st inning Sunday in route to a 15-3 win. Leadoff hitter Jamie League batted 3 times in the 1st inning, and the Mudcats incredible offensive continues to give the Cats a 6-0 League record. The Cats were led again by SS Jason McMinn 2-3 2B, HR, HBP, 2 RU, 2 RBI who is now hitting .632 on the season. 6 other Cats had 1 hit each and the Cats drew 13 walks to show their continued patience at the plate.
Aaron Smith (3-0) got his 3rd win of the season striking out 8 and only walking 1 in 5 innings of work. Smith is well on his way to another all-american year if he keeps winning games for the Cats. Smith mixes a good 2-seam fastball that runs 87-91 mph with a great changeup and curveball. Teams haven't figured out how to hit him consistently and he is improving with each start.
The Mudcats play again Thursday vs the 4-1 Rays in a critical league game at 7:00 in Manor.
Derek Wallace - 3-3 2 1B, HR, BB, 2 SB, 2 RU, 5 RBI
MUDCATS WIN SLUGFEST 19-10 OVER BLACK SOX
The Mudcats won a long and drawn out game 19-10 over the Black Sox to stay undefeatead Saturday. Scott Dodge (2-0) got his 2nd win of the season striking out 3 hitters and Jamie League made his return to the mound notching his 1st save with 2 innings of relief striking out 3. The story of the day was a back and forth slugfest that saw 29 runs and 25 hits between the 2 teams. The Cats got 8 runs in the 1st inning and 7 runs in the 2nd inning to build a huge lead before the Black Sox came crawling back in the 5th inning. The Cats hitting was lead by LF Derek Wallace 3-3 2 1B, HR, 2 RU, 2 SB, BB, 5 RBI who had a grand slam, and 3B Joe Taylor 1-4 HR, BB, 2 RU, 3 RBI who hit a 3-run home-run.
C Ben Carter 2-4 2 1B, RU, RBI and 2B Jason McMinn 2-2 2 1B, RU also led the charge. The offensive story of the year is becoming Jason McMinn who was hampered by injuries last year and was unable to play to his potential, but is putting on a hitting clinic this season. McMinn is hitting .625 (10-16) and looks like the player that the University of Texas coveted in the late 90's. The Mudcats are also getting solid starts from Derek Wallace and Joe Taylor amongst others. It is one of the best offensive teams that the Cats have had in their history and they are scoring runs at an all time rate having scored 77 runs in 6 games this year.
The Cats will take on a tough Titans team tomorrow morning to try to stay undefeated in League play.
Ben Parker - 1-4 1B, GW RBI
MUDCATS SURVIVE VS DIAMOND JAXX TO GO 4-0
The Mudcats were challenged vs a winless Diamond Jaxx team, but got some last inning heroics to survive with an 8-7 win. RF Ben Parker 1-4 1B, GW RBI hammered an 0-2 pitch up the middle with 2 guys on in the bottom of the 7th to give the Cats the victory. Parker had been struggling at the plate, but found a way to win the game. Parker said "I was just trying to find a pitch I could hit up the middle to win the game," and he did just that. The Cats also received good days at the plate from 3B Joe Taylor 3-4 21B, 2B, RU, 3 RBI: 2B Jason McMinn 1-2 HR, BB, HBP, 3RU, RBI: and Jon Tapia 2-4 21B, 2RU.
Travis Barlow threw 5 strong innings striking out 6 before giving way to Ross Chapman (1-0) who got the win in relief throwing 2 innings and giving up 0 earned runs. The Cats are back in action this Saturday and Sunday vs the Black Sox and Titans respectively.
Ben Himes - 1-3 HR, RU, 2 RBI
MUDCATS WIN 1ST RIVALRY GAME OF 2009, 5-4 OVER TEXANS
When RF Ben Himes came to the plate in the 6th inning with a chance to put the Ctas ahead, you just got the feeling that he was going to come up clutch. He did. Himes took an 0-2 fastball over the center field fence about 420 feet to give the Cats a 5-3 lead. The Cats held on 5-4 to win game 1 of the rivalry vs the Texans. All-American Aaron Smith (2-0) got his 2nd win of the season after throwing 5 strong innings yielding 3 runs on 6 hits and striking out 6 hitters. Travis Barlow got his 1st save as a Mudcat throwing the last 2 innings striking out 2 and only giving up 1 unearned run after an error in the outfield.
The hitting was lead by Himes 1-3 HR, RU, 2 RBI; 1B Walker 2-3 21B, RU; 2B Jason McMinn 2-3 21B, RU, SB; and C Brendan Chauret 1-1 1B, BB, RBI. Chauret tied the game in the 5th with an RBI single after Steven Smolinsky had tripled home David Walker to start a Mudcats rally. The Mudcats fought hard and have started the season now 3-0 and are looking to capture their 2nd League title in a row.
Derek Wallace - 3-4 2B, 2 3B, 2 RU, 6 RBI
MUDCATS CRUISE OVER A'S 21-0 TO START 2-0
The Mudcats cruised to a 21-0 victory over the A's to start the season 2-0. The Cats were lead by LF Derek Wallace 3-4 2B, 2 3B, 2 RU, 6 RBI and SS Steven Smolinsky 2-2 1B, 3B, 2 BB, 2 RU, SB, RBI. The Cats were patient at the plate drawing 17 walks and then received timely hitting. The pitching staff was lead by Aaron Smith (1-0) who notched his 1st win of the season striking out 3 and allowing 0 runs. Travis Barlow threw 2 scoreless innings and Tommy Sorden threw 1 scoreless inning in relief.
The Mudcats will take their rivalry with the Texans into 2009 next Wednesday night. The Mudcats took 4 out of 6 games from the Texans last season to win the League title.
Scott Dodge - 3-4 2 2B, 3B, 2 RU, 5 RBI
MUDCATS DOMINATE WHITE-SOX IN OPENER 19-5
The Austin Mudcats season officially began today with a 19-5 drumming of the White-Sox. The Mudcats received 20 hits and manufactured 19 runs for an easy win. Scott Dodge (1-0) had an impressive opening day going 5 strong Innings for his first win of the year and also going 3-4 2 2B, 3B, 2 RU, 5 RBI on the day. Travis Barlow also threw an inning to close things down as the Sox managed only 5 hits. The Cats received solid at-bats all throughout the order with many Cats having double digit hits for the day. 1B Tim Landy was 2-2 1B, 2B, 3 RU, RBI, 2 BB, SB; 2B Jason McMinn was 2-3 2 1B, 3 RU, SB; EH Joe Taylor was 2-3 1B, 2B, 2 RU, 2 RBI; EH Ben Parker was 2-2 2 1B, RBI; EH Ross Chapman was 2-2 1B, 2B, RU, RBI; and 2B Darrell Edgar was 2-4 2 1B, 2 RU. The offense was clicking and the Mudcats are now 1-0 in League play.
The Mudcats will be playing again this Tuesday vs the A's at East Metro Park in Manor.
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