Mudcats Suffer Setback; Still in Playoff Hunt
June 2, 2013 (AP) – To invoke the motto of ABC’s Wide World of Sports, the Mudcats went from the “thrill of victory” to the “agony of defeat” in less than 24 hours. One day after winning their opening round playoff game in walk-off fashion, on Sunday the Mudcats surrendered a three run lead to the Volcanoes in the top of the sixth inning and then gave up a whopping eleven runs in the top half of the extra frame to go down to defeat 16-7. After scratching out a 5-2 lead against the Volcanoes ace pitcher Smiley – so nicknamed by the Vols coaches for his stoic demeanor – the Mudcats took the field in the top of the sixth needing just three outs to advance to the next round of the winners’ bracket to play the top-seeded Dragons. Unfortunately for the ‘Cats, some untimely wild pitching allowed the Volcanoes to knot the score at 5. The ‘Cats had a chance in the bottom of the sixth for back-to-back walk off wins, but William struck out on a check swing on a tough inside fastball, stranding a Catfish at third and sending the game to extra innings. In the bonus round, the wheels came off the bus for the Mudcats, as none of a series of Mudcats’ pitchers could find the strike zone, allowing eleven runs to score on walks. Down but not out, the Mudcats managed to put two runs on the board in the bottom half of the sixth, but could muster no more. Liam Dooley, the hero of Saturday’s game, played a solid game in the field at first and behind the plate as catcher and went 2-4 at the plate, putting the bat on the ball each time he came up to hit.
The Mudcats next play the fifth-seeded Redwings in a win-or-go-home game on Tuesday afternoon. With many of the Mudcats regular starting pitchers limited due to league pitch count rules, Liam is expected to see extended action on the bump for the ‘Cats. First pitch is 5:00 PT.
Dooley Dazzles; Turns Double Play
June 2, 2013 (AP) – In a late afternoon tilt, the Farm A Cardinals continued their solid play in the field and at the dish in a Farm A match up with the Mariners. Although league rules do not allow for score to be kept in the Farm A division, unofficial reports had the Cardinals winning 17-12 in a four-inning slug-fest. The game saw several smart plays in the field by Danish transplant Daniel Kvaerno, kindergarten call-up Xan, and surprise defensive whizz Diego (known more for his prodigious strength at the plate than his play in the field ), but none could match highlight reel catch of first baseman Quinn Dooley. In the fourth inning, with runners on second and third, and nobody out, Quinn stabbed a sharply hit liner out of the air and deftly doubled off the Mariner on first who had taken off with the hit. Reliving the play in his backyard the next day, Quinn reported that his play “was totally easy.”
The Cardinals return to the field Sunday, June 9, for their season finale.
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