"That's one of those games," Coach Andrew said. "Sometimes you play your heart out and win, and sometimes you play your heart out and lose. They made some great plays, and there's nothing you can do but shake their hands."
The Mudcats pounded out 18 hits, the most since October 9, but were thwarted by a Thunder defense that made multiple terrific defensive plays, including a probable two-run-saving grab of Anthony's line drive in the third and a game-ending double play when the Mudcats had the tying run at the plate. The entire lineup contributed offensively, with nine different players scoring at least one run and eight different players driving in at least one run. In a juggled batting order, Christopher had a hot night in the three spot, picking up a single, double and three RBI. LB added his first career three-hit game, and Charley also had a three-hit game.
Coach Andrew also shuffled the defense, going with a frequently shifting strategy that kept everyone on their toes. Several players in new positions--including LB at second, Luke's Brother at third, Smiley in left-center and Brenner at pitcher--made key plays.
Even after the Thunder jumped to a 4-0 lead after one inning, the game was a seesaw affair. The Mudcats battled back to tie the score at seven after four innings. The two-run fourth was keyed by an RBI double from Charley, who had a three-hit day. The offense continued to pour it on in the fifth, plating three runs to take a 10-7 lead going into the bottom of the inning.
But after surviving the dreaded fourth, which had been a bugaboo over the last couple of games, this time it was the fifth that turned out to be an opposing explosion. On a night when the Thunder took advantage of several swinging bunts that turned into hits, that wasn't the case in the fifth--it was simply the Thunder placing some line drives out of the reach of the Mudcats. When the Thunder scored eight runs to move ahead 15-10, it marked the third straight game in which an opponent scored at least six runs in one inning.
Somehow, though, you still felt like a rally was coming. Big swings by the bottom of the order generated a couple of baserunners, and the Mudcats were just one batter away from getting back to the top of the order when the Thunder first baseman speared Luke's Brother's line drive and turned it into a game-ending double play.
"We preach teamwork, and that was a great team effort," Coach Andrew said. "Everybody contributed on defense and at the plate."
All the Mudcats earned one sticker for the solid effort. A three-sticker promise is still in the air for Saturday's game against the Bulls. The postseason implications of the defeat are minimal. With the Bulls set to play tomorrow night, the Mudcats are still alive for either the seventh or eighth seed in the tournament, which begins on Sunday. It is possible that the Mudcats may not know their seeding immediately after their game on Saturday, because the answer could hinge on Saturday's 3:30 game. For scheduling purposes, the blog will be updated after tomorrow night's Bulls game with all the various postseason possibilities.
Wednesday's Mudcat scoring plays
Second inning
Anthony and JJ combined to give the Mudcats two runners on with just one out. LB drove in the first Mudcat run of the game with a sharp RBI single to the left side.
Score after one and a half innings: Thunder 4, Mudcats 1
Third inning
With the offense picking up some momentum, Charley led off with a single and moved to second on the first of two hits from Toothless Tyler, who is generating more bat speed because of the new-found wind through his missing front tooth. Gabe, who hit the ball as consistently hard as he has all year, made it three straight singles with an RBI shot up the middle. After a fielder's choice, Hayes drove in a pair with a rocket to left-center, with Coach Jim somehow managing to hold him at second. A fielder's choice moved Hayes to third, and Christopher drove him in with a single up the middle.
Score after two and a half innings: Mudcats 5, Thunder 5
Fourth inning
JJ led off with a single and moved to second on a fielder's choice. LB, who had a three-hit day, pounded the ball through the left side, moving JJ to third. Asher's fielder's choice scored JJ, and Charley's line drive single scored LB.
Score after three and a half innings: Thunder 7, Mudcats 7
Fifth inning
Gabe led off with a single and was replaced by Brenner on a fielder's choice. Hayes, Smiley and Christopher strung together three straight singles, with Christopher's shot driving in a pair. Anthony scored Smiley on a fielder's choice to complete the rally.
Score after four and a half innings: Mudcats 10, Thunder 7
Sixth inning
LB picked up a one-out single, and Asher reached on some defensive adventures at second base. Charley hit a long single that scored LB, and Tyler's line drive up the middle scored Asher.
Final score: Thunder 15, Mudcats 12
Wednesday's Web Gems
- LB very nearly turned a double play largely on his own, fielding a ground ball at second base and narrowly missing the tag on a runner going from first to second, then still having the presence of mind to throw to first and get the force there.
- Brenner stifled a Thunder outburst in the first, grabbing a ground ball at pitcher and firing to second base for the inning-ending force.
- Anthony dove in the hole in the fifth, keeping the ball in the infield and potentially saving a run. Anthony also combined with Drew on a smooth 6-4 putout in the fourth.
| Wednesday's line score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H |
| Mudcats | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 18 |
| Thunder | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 8 | X | 15 | 21 |
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