Mudcats Lose 9-1 in Sweep Clinching Loss to Astros

ZEBULON, N.C. - Seth Beer hit a grand slam in the eighth and drove in five runs overall while leading the Astros to a sweep clinching 9-1 victory versus the Mudcats on Thursday night. The home loss came in front of a crowd of 6,295 for Carolina at Five County Stadium.

The home loss came in the finale of a split away/home series and dropped the Mudcats (59-68, 25-32) to 11.0 games back of the Astros (73-53, 36-21) in the second half playoff race. It also lowered Carolina's playoff spot elimination number to just one.
Devin Williams started the game for the Mudcats, but left in the second after walking two batters and after reaching 38 pitches (14 strikes) in his appearance. Wuilder Rodriguez then entered out of the bullpen and went on to allow one of his two inherited runners to score on a bases load sacrifice fly from J.J. Matejevic as the Astros took the early 1-0 lead. Rodriguez stayed in the game through the fifth and ended up pitching through three scoreless innings with two walks and two strikeouts.
The 1-0 Buies Creek lead held through the fifth, but was lost in the sixth when the Mudcats rallied for a two-out run on starter Abdiel Saldana in the sixth. Saldana issued back-to-back walks in the sixth before allowing a game tying RBI double to newly added Carolina outfielder Dillon Thomas. The RBI double was Thomas' first hit with the Mudcats and tied the game at 1-1 in the sixth.
The 1-1 tie was short-lived as the Astros went on to take a commanding lead in the game after scoring five runs in the eighth against Carolina reliever Cody Beckman. The five run eighth began with a throwing error from Beckman (1-3, 5.09) that allowed Cody Bohanek to reach safely. It then continued with consecutive walks to Jonathan Arauz and Corey Julks. Beckman then struck out Matijevic, but then issued a bases loaded walk to Bryan De La Cruz to force in the go-ahead run. Daniel Brown then took over and gave up Beer's grand slam as the Astros broke the game open while taking a 6-1 lead.
Brown stayed in the game for the ninth and ended up allowing three more Buies Creek runs before finishing the final frame. In all, Brown walked one, struck out one and allowed four runs on five hits over an inning and 2/3. Beckman took the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) on four walks over an inning and 1/3.
Carolina also used reliever Nathan Kirby in Thursday's loss at Five County Stadium. Kirby worked the fifth and sixth and did not allow a run while scattering two hits, walking one and striking out one. 
Saldana finished with a no-decision, but totaled seven strikeouts and allowed just the one run on five hits over six innings pitched. Carson LaRue (7-7, 4.27) earned the win after pitching through three scoreless frames with four walks and four strikeouts.
The loss clinched a series sweep for the Astros and was Carolina's fifth straight. Carolina will next look to snap their losing streak on Friday night in Frederick as they take to the road to take on the keys at Nymeo Field for the first time this season. Carolina will send RHP Alec Bettinger to the mound in Friday's series opener in Frederick. The game will air on the Mudcats Radio Network, the Big Dawg 98.5 FM and via TuneIn Radio at carolinamudcats.com.
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