October 3rd: Mudcats vs Scrapper

The Mudcats hosted the Scrappers, coming off a convincing win against the Bees improving their record to 5-2. The verdant field was in fine condition, and the age old Pines served witness behind the “162 Feet” sign in left field.

True to their name, the Scrappers started the game with a productive two-run inning. The second batter doubled, and another tripled before ground outs sent them to defend their lead.

Lead-off Leyton led off and hit the second pitch for a base hit. Considering he’s never been walked, nor hit by a pitch, his OBP (on-base percentage, for the un-initiated) has to be stratospheric. T-Rex grounded into a fielder’s choice, as did Smiley—man on first, two outs. Big Adam gets a hit to center and moves Smiley to third, and the Cats have runners at the corners. Sticks hits the ball over short stop, scoring Smiley, and putting Adam in scoring position at third. Colby hits a chopper over second base, evening the score at 2-2 before the inning ends.

The Scrapper’s pitcher gets two strike-outs, a batter gets a double, but no runs are scored at the top of the 2nd inning. 

Drew gets a lead-off hit. Tex advances Drew, and is safely on. Lil Papi grounds out, but puts Tex and Drew in scoring position. Logan scores Drew from third, and Tex wisely watches the third base coach for direction, and the Cats are up 3-2. The top of the order is up, and Leyton loads the bases with his second hit of the game. T-rex scores Tex (4-2), and the Cats have runners at the corners. Smiley gets the job done with a big hit, but a sound defensive play is the third out, and the Scrappers are left relatively unscathed, with two Cats left on base.

Top of the 3rd inning for Scrappers. Luke keeps after a pop-fly and gets the runner at first—tenacious defense. Sticks makes a great stop, and just misses the runner at first. A huge shot to left scores a Scrapper (4-3). Luke makes the third out with a throw to first. 

The Cats looked ready to add to the lead, as Sticks was in scoring position on second base. Luke hit a well-struck ball, but it was a line drive to the second-baseman, inning over.
 
A veritable John Smoltz, the Scrapper’s pitcher strikes out three batters, and the team strands the base-runner on first.

Drew gives the Cats an early chance with his second base hit and grounder up the middle. Tex grounds out, but gets Drew in position to score.  Lil Papi hits down the right field line, and Drew scores (5-3). Leyton hits a rocket, but the Scrappers are scrappy, and get a double play to end the inning.

At the top of the 5th, the first batter gets a triple. Drew stops a grounder, and makes the tag for the first out of the inning. The bases are loaded. A Scrapper gets a base hit to left, and evens the score, 5-5. A chopper to third scores another run. T-rex makes the third out, but not before the score is 5-7.

With a little scrappiness of their own, T-Rex gets a hit to left field. Smiley gets a base hit over second base.  Sticks is on with a fielder’s choice, as the Scrappers get the lead runner out at third. Colby scores Smiley, and narrows the lead to one (6-7).

Giving themselves a chance, the Cats hold the Scrapers scoreless in the top of the 6^th inning.  But they needed more time as they too were impotent in the last, and lose the game by one run. 

Write-up by Scott Hart
Pictures by Tonya Proctor