Carolina Falls 2-1 in Rain-Shortened Loss

Lynchburg 2 @ Carolina 1

July 11, 2021 | Venue : Five County Stadium | First pitch : 1:33 PM | Att : 1,542 | T : 1:40 (1:57 delay)

WP: Liam Jenkins (3 - 0) LP: Miguel Guerrero (3 - 1)

ZEBULON – Two costly errors in the second led directly to runs and proved to be the difference as the Mudcats fell 2-1 in a six-inning, rain-shortened loss to the Hillcats on Sunday at Five County Stadium. Starter Miguel Guerrero worked all six innings and allowed just two unearned runs while recording his first career quality start and his first career loss.

Despite the loss, the Mudcats (34-25) ended up victorious in the six-game series as they ended up going 4-2 in the home series versus Lynchburg (28-30).

Guerrero (3-1, 4.33) ended up with the tough luck loss after allowing two unearned runs over a career high six innings pitched. Both runs came in the second during Lynchburg’s two run and three hit inning. Neither run, however, scored with a run scoring hit as two costly errors allowed both runs to score.

The first run of the game came across on a throwing error by catcher Zavier Warren and the other was dropped catch by Ernesto Martinez at first. Warren’s came on a throw to second while attempting catch a base runner. That errant throw allowed lead runner Alexfri Planez to score from third. Martinez’s error came on what would have been a potential groundout to end the inning. Both runs scored with two outs as Carolina turned a double play earlier in the inning before Lynchburg’s rally.

Guerrero, in what was just his third start, totaled three strikeouts and allowed five hits while reaching a career high 73 pitches (48 strikes). He also followed the two run second by facing just one over the minimum over his next four innings pitched.

Josh Wolf started and held Carolina to a run and two hits over four innings pitched. Wolf also struck out six and walked three. Liam Jenkins, meanwhile, earned the win after pitching a scoreless fifth. Jenkins (3-0, 4.15) faced just three batters and struck out one in the victory.

Felix Valerio scored the only run for Carolina after starting the fourth with a walk. He then moved to third on a single from Noah Campbell and then scored on a throwing error from catcher Yainer Diaz after he attempted to throw out a stealing Campbell at second.

The Mudcats were held to just two hits in the rain-shortened loss. Lynchburg totaled five hits in their series finale victory.

TOP PERFORMERS - BATTERS:

Diaz, C (Lynchburg): 2-for-3, 0 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI

Planez, CF (Lynchburg): 1-for-2, 1 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI

Holland, DH (Lynchburg): 1-for-2, 1 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI

Warren, C (Carolina): 1-for-2, 0 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI

Valerio, F, DH (Carolina): 0-for-0, 1 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI

Campbell, LF (Carolina): 1-for-2, 0 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI

TOP PERFORMERS - PITCHERS:

Guerrero (L, 3-1) (Carolina): 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO

Wolf (Lynchburg): 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO

Jenkins (W, 3-0) (Lynchburg): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO

SCORING PLAYS:

Hillcats 2nd (Hillcats 2, Mudcats 0) -- Yainer Diaz singles up the middle. Gabriel Rodriguez grounds into double play, Gabe Holt to Freddy Zamora to Ernesto Martinez, Yainer Diaz out at 2nd, Gabriel Rodriguez out at 1st. Alexfri Planez doubles to left-center field. Korey Holland singles to right field, Alexfri Planez to 3rd. Korey Holland steals 2nd base, Alexfri Planez scores;Throwing error by Zavier Warren on the pickoff attempt. Wilfri Peralta reaches on fielding error by Ernesto Martinez, Korey Holland scores. Yordys Valdes strikes out swinging.
(2 Runs, 3 Hits, 2 Errors, 1 LOB)

Mudcats 4th (Hillcats 2, Mudcats 1) -- Felix Valerio walks. Noah Campbell singles to center field, Felix Valerio to 3rd. Noah Campbell steals 2nd base, Felix Valerio scores; throwing error by Yainer Diaz. Joey Wiemer grounds out, Gabriel Rodriguez to Wilfri Peralta. Ernesto Martinez struck out looking. Ashton McGee strikes out swinging.
(1 Runs, 1 Hits, 1 Errors, 1 LOB)