Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon
Scores
All Scores Triple-A Scores Double-A Scores High-A Scores Single-A Scores Rookie Scores
Schedule
Complete Game Schedule Triple-A Schedule Double-A Schedule High-A Schedule Single-A Schedule Rookie Schedule Sync Schedules
Teams
Teams by Affiliate Teams by Name Teams by Class Teams by League Ballparks
Watch
Watch Games Subscribe Highlights Prospect Highlights Streaming FAQ Help Center Gameday Audio Podcast Bally Sports Live
Tickets
Tickets
Shop
MiLB Store Auctions Shop Copa Shop Marvel
Standings
Full Season Rookie Leagues Playoffs Playoff Procedures
Stats
Full Season Rookie Leagues Trending Players Top Prospect Stats
News
Pipeline Transactions Copa de la Diversión Baseball Traveler Malmö Oat Milkers MiLB App MiLB Newsletters Sweepstakes & Contests
Prospects
Top 100 Top 30 by Team Top 50 International Draft Top 250 Trending Players
Playoffs
MLB

Early P-Nats runs too much for Carolina

Andrew Thurman allowed a 3-run home run in the second in a 7-4 loss
By Greg Young
August 8, 2015

ZEBULON, NC - Potomac's Stephen Perez hit a three-run home run off Andrew Thurman in the second and starter Austen Williams held Carolina to one earned run over six innings pitched as the Nationals defeated the Mudcats 7-4 on Saturday night at Five County Stadium.

The Mudcats (57-55, 23-20) trailed from the second inning through the end of the game following Perez's home run to deep right. It was just the second allowed by Thurman (L, 5-4, 3.77) this season and was the first of three early runs in the game for the Nationals (51-60, 17-24). The Mudcats eventually came back with two runs in the ninth, but failed to finish the comeback and fell to 0-43 when trailing after the eighth inning this season.

Thurman allowed five runs over the first three and finished with six runs (five earned) allowed over six innings in the loss. He threw 98 pitches (69 strikes), struck out four and allowed just three runs over his final three frames of work.

Williams (W, 3-3, 2.48) struck out eight and scattered four hits while allowing just two runs over his six inning outing for the Nationals. He allowed a triple to Johan Camargo in the one run Carolina third and saw an error lead to a run in the fifth. Those two runs were all the Mudcats rallied for against Williams and the Nationals led 5-2 through the sixth.

Perez was 2-for-3 with two runs, a three-run home run and three RBI for the Nationals in the victory. The Nationals also received run scoring hits from Alec Keller and John Wooten in the victory. Keller was 2-for-4 with a run and a RBI and Wooten was 1-for-4 with one batted in as well.

The Nationals led 5-0 until Camargo tripled and scored a run in the third off Williams. Camargo finished the game 2-for-3 with a run and a sacrifice bunt. His sacrifice bunt came during Carolina's two run ninth and in the middle of their late rally against relievers Phillips Valdez and R. C. Orlan.

Valdez started the ninth with the Nationals leading 7-2, but would allow four straight baserunners, three hits and two runs in the frame before leaving without recording an out. The Mudcats rallied for two in the ninth, but left two on after Orlan (S, 1) retired three straight to finish the game.

Carlos Franco started the ninth inning rally with a leadoff walk before Joseph Odom, Joey Meneses and Tanner Krietemeier each picked up hits in the inning. Franco scored from third on a wild pitch and Odom came in moments later on a RBI single by Meneses. Orlan entered the game after Krietemeier singled off Valdez and managed to strikeout Keith Curcio and Connor Lien after getting Camargo out on a sacrifice bunt. Orlan stranded runners at second and third in the ninth.

Valdez allowed two runs and three hits while failing to record an out in the ninth. Orlan faced only three and kept the Mudcats scoreless while finishing a scoreless ninth en route to his first save. Jake Johansen also worked out of the pen for the visiting Nationals. He pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth following Williams.

Andy Otero pitched two perfect innings in place of Thurman out of the Carolina bullpen. He gave way to Clayton Cook in the ninth, and like Valdez, left the game without recording an out. Cook walked three straight batters and allowed a RBI single in the ninth before being replaced by Justin Jackson.

Jackson faced only two batters in the ninth and was able to get the Mudcats out of the inning with two straight groundballs. Carolina used the first for a bases loaded force out at home and then turned a bases loaded 1-2-3 double play with the second.

The loss dropped the Mudcats to 4.5 games out of first in the second half race and into a 1-1 series tie with the visiting Nationals. The series finale is scheduled for Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. with LHP Blair Walters starting for the Mudcats against LHP Matthew Spann of the Nationals.

All games air on the Mudcats Radio Network, The Big Dawg 98.5 FM, Rock City 99.3 FM and Sports 1490 AM. Games are also streamed online at www.carolinamudcats.com via TuneIn Radio and the TuneIn Radio app. TuneIn Radio is the official digital audio partner of MiLB.com.

Individual tickets are now available online at www.carolinamudcats.com, by calling (919) 269-2287 and by visiting the Five County Stadium box office.

Premium Field Level seats are $12.00, Box Seats are $10.00 and Cattail Skybox Seats are $15.00. Flex plans, group tickets and the "Muddy Unreal Deal" plan are also currently available for purchase.

The Carolina Mudcats are the Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. The 2015 "Braves New World" season is the first for the Mudcats as an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and their fourth straight in the historic Carolina League. First established in 1991, the Carolina Mudcats are entering their 25th straight season of baseball at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C. Fans can purchase tickets or find more information by calling (919) 269-2287 or by visiting www.carolinamudcats.com.

# # #