Game #11: Mudcats 11, Thunder 8

Coming into Monday night's game, the Thunder had scored 28 runs in its last two games and was sitting alone in first place in the Minor League. The Mudcats, meanwhile, were trying to finish off a tiring stretch of three games in three days. A mismatch, perhaps?

Not so fast, my friend.

Buoyed by a big six-run first inning and a raucous cheering section, the Mudcats steamrolled to an 11-8 victory, handing the Thunder just their third loss of the season. It was one of the more complete team games of the season, with hits from 10 different Mudcats and solid defensive plays at every position on the diamond.

"I don't care what anybody else's record is," Coach Andrew told the team, "but a lot of people think the Thunder might be the best team in the league. And today, we didn't even play our best game, but we still beat them."

Making good on his promise from yesterday, everyone earned two helmet stickers, capitalizing on the earn-back situation from Sunday. After terrific work behind the plate trying to control the tempo of the game--a responsibility also shouldered by Gabe and Charley--Smiley also earned an extra sticker.

The offensive and defensive players of the game might have been the most difficult decisions of the season. For igniting the six-run rally that set the tone for the game (and also for being on base seven straight times since moving to the leadoff spot), JJ earned offensive honors. After playing flawless outfield defense, Hayes captured day-old Doritos as the defensive player of the game.

Coach Andrew's message was succinct: "Let's keep on doing this."

Food report: Keeping up with all the runs prevented me from keeping a solid tally, but I know for sure there were some kind of fruit kabob things (which came with a handy wooden stick), Skittles and strawberries.



Also, after this morning's report of the disturbing news from a Florida youth football league, the Mudcat Blog Investigative Team turned up some suspicious activity behind home plate. Are you trying to tell me these people are just watching the game? Finally we have some idea of what is going on back there. I just want to know which one is O-Z. My guess is either Rebecca or Beth, because a stroller is the perfect place to hide dice or a roll of cash.

Monday's Mudcat scoring plays

First inning
In an inning that tied for the biggest frame of the year, JJ led off with a line-drive opposite field double. He moved to third on Anthony's single, then scored the first run of the game on Drew's RBI single. Zach blasted an RBI sacrifice fly to deep center, then Smiley picked up an RBI and with pure hustle turned what would have been a single into a double. Christopher, on his way to his second straight 3-for-3 day, put runners at the corners with a single. Hayes smacked an RBI single up the middle that scored Smiley, and then Charley and Brenner continued to put the ball in play and allow the All Blacks to take advantage of a Thunder miscue, plating two more runs.
Score after one-half inning: Mudcats 6, Thunder 0

Fourth inning
Gavin blasted a single to deep center that scored Christopher, who had led off with a single.
Score after three and a half innings: Mudcats 7, Thunder 2

Sixth inning
In an inning when the Mudcats desperately needed some insurance runs after the Thunder had pulled within 7-6, the middle of the order delivered with four big runs. Christopher picked up the first RBI of the inning, singling in Zach. Then Hayes, after receiving the type of coaching from Rebecca that probably could not be replicated by the coaching staff, ripped a double that scored Smiley. Charley picked up an RBI single and Brenner drove in the final run of the single with an RBI fielder's choice. It should be noted that none of the eleven runs scored by the All Blacks crossed the plate when a defensive player was prone on the infield dirt with an injury.
Score after five and a half innings: Mudcats 11, Thunder 6


Monday's Web Gems

• Christopher made a nice play on a foul pop in the first, ranging over nearly to the fence to make the catch.
• Smiley, who earned praise and an extra sticker from Coach Andrew for his work behind the plate, threw off his mask and hauled in a pop fly at catcher.
• Asher got a forceout from right field, throwing the ball in to Christopher, who made a nice catch to preserve the out.
• Hayes saved at least two runs with an inning-ending shoestring catch in left-center to end the fourth.
• Zach made a diving catch of a line drive in foul territory at third base in the fifth.
• Stop me if this sounds familiar: in the fifth, Hayes saved at least one run, and probably two, with an inning-ending catch in center field. On the day, he had three catches in the outfield.
• After the Thunder got the leadoff man in the heart of their order in the bottom of the sixth, Zach immediately snuffed the rally by picking up a grounder up the middle, stepping on second, and throwing to first to complete the double play.

Monday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Mudcats	6	0	0	1	0	4	11	15
Thunder	0	2	0	2	2	2	8	13