Mudcats Stifled in 6-0 Loss to Kannapolis

Daniel Guilarte walked in the loss while extending his season-opening on-base streak to 31 straight games

Daniel Guilarte - Carolina Mudcats (Credit: Neal Hock)

May 19, 2023

CAR: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
KAN: 0 1 3 1 0 0 0 1 x 6 7 1

WP: Frander Veras (1 - 1) LP: Jacob Misiorowski (0 - 1) SV: Yohemy Nolasco (2)

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – The Carolina offense was held scoreless for the second time in their last three games and starter Jacob Misiorowski balked in two runs as the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers defeated the Carolina Mudcats 6-0 on Friday night at Atrium Health Ballpark in Kannapolis.

Misiorowski (L, 0-1) struck out seven, but walked four and allowed four runs on three hits over three innings pitched while taking the loss. He also balked in two runs, including the game’s first run in the second and the final run of three in the third.

The Cannon Ballers (20-16) led 1-0 after the second with help of Misiorowski’s first balk. They then went up 3-0 in the third after Misiorowski walked two straight before giving up a two-run single to Jacob Burke. That lead quickly grew to 4-0 after Misiorowski balked in one last run before leaving the game. Kannapolis eventually took a 5-0 lead after scoring a run on a wild pitch lost by reliever Nick Merkel in the fourth. Bryce Willits later doubled in a run off reliever Yerlin Rodriguez in the eighth.

The Mudcats (21-15) ended up going just 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position in the loss. They also stranded just five baserunners with three of those five in the fifth when they wasted a bases loaded situation. Reliever Frander Veras inherited the bases loaded jam and left all three runners on base with a strikeout of Jesus Chirinos to end the inning.

Veras (W, 1-1) ended up with the victory while escaping the fifth inning jam and going an inning and 1/3 overall with two strikeouts. Starter Tanner McDougal went four and struck out six. Yohemy Nolasco earned the save with three scoreless frames to finish it.

With the loss, Carolina’s lead in the series tightened to 3-2 with two games left to play. The series will continue Saturday night with game six of the seven-game series at Atrium Health Ballpark in Kannapolis. Right-hander Logan Henderson is scheduled to start Saturday’s game for the Mudcats.

The Mudcats next return home on Tuesday, May 23 when they begin a six-game homestand versus the Down East Wood Ducks at Five County Stadium. Carolina’s next homestand will feature Starry Taco Tuesday, Winslow Homes Winning Wednesday, Bark in the Park and Micro Brews Thirsty Thursday™, CBS 17 Friday Night Fireworks, AgCarolina Farm Credit Union Souvenir Saturday featuring a souvenir AgNight themed hat, and WakeMed Five County Family Sunday with $7.00 Box Seat tickets and on-field post-game catch.

TOP PERFORMERS - BATTERS:
Lara, CF (Carolina): 2-for-3
Burke, CF (Kannapolis): 1-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI
Willits, 3B (Kannapolis): 2-for-2, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI
Weaver, LF (Kannapolis): 2-for-4, 1 R, 1 2B

TOP PERFORMERS - PITCHERS:
Merkel (Carolina): 3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO
McDougal (Kannapolis): 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO
Veras, F (W, 1-1) (Kannapolis): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
Nolasco (S, 2) (Kannapolis): 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO

SCORING:
Cannon Ballers 2nd (Cannon Ballers 1, Mudcats 0) -- Bryce Willits walks. Luis Pineda strikes out swinging. Drake Logan struck out looking. Caberea Weaver doubles to left field, Bryce Willits to 3rd. Bryce Willits scores on a balk; Caberea Weaver advances to 3rd on a balk. Mario Camilletti struck out looking.
(1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB)

Cannon Ballers 3rd (Cannon Ballers 4, Mudcats 0) -- Jordan Sprinkle strikes out on foul tip. Brooks Baldwin walks. Brooks Baldwin steals 2nd base. Tim Elko walks. Wild pitch by Jacob Misiorowski, Brooks Baldwin to 3rd; Tim Elko to 2nd. Jacob Burke singles to center field, Brooks Baldwin scores; Tim Elko scores. Bryce Willits walks, Jacob Burke to 2nd. Jacob Burke steals 3rd base, Bryce Willits steals 2nd base. Luis Pineda struck out looking. Jacob Burke scores on a balk; Bryce Willits advances to 3rd on a balk. Drake Logan strikes out swinging.
(3 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB)

Cannon Ballers 4th (Cannon Ballers 5, Mudcats 0) -- Pitcher Change: Nick Merkel replaces Jacob Misiorowski. Caberea Weaver bunt singles to shallow center field. Mario Camilletti singles to right field, Caberea Weaver to 3rd. Jordan Sprinkle pops out to Daniel Guilarte. Wild pitch by Nick Merkel, Caberea Weaver scores; Mario Camilletti to 2nd. Brooks Baldwin strikes out on foul tip. Tim Elko strikes out swinging.
(1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB)

Cannon Ballers 8th (Cannon Ballers 6, Mudcats 0) -- Jacob Burke hit by pitch. Bryce Willits doubles to left-center field, Jacob Burke scores. Luis Pineda grounds out, Yerlin Rodriguez to Jesus Chirinos, Bryce Willits to 3rd. Drake Logan strikes out swinging. Caberea Weaver strikes out swinging.
(1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB)