MUCKDOGS FALTER BUT RETAIN FIRST PLACE

Jamestown, NY - After five straight victories in as many days, the Muckdogs lost a tough battle against the Jamestown Tarpskunks in a 6-2 defeat. 

Both teams had strong pitchers take the bump, as it was the Muckdogs' ace Gavin Chandler taking on the Tarpskunks’ Christian Pencek. The game started as expected, with the stingy pitchers not allowing any runs through three innings. 

Then, in the 4th inning, the Muckdogs would strike first, with Brayden Horton hustling and scoring the first run of the game via a throwing error made by Tarpskunks third baseman Blake Herman. 

In the bottom of the inning, the Tarpskunks would flip the momentum by putting up three runs of their own. Eric Weeks scored on an errant throw and miscommunication between Muckdogs shortstop Tyler Castrataro and second baseman Omar Carreras. This was the start of a rally for the Tarpskunks, as Nolan Smith launched a double down the infield line to score Dom Costello and advance Brady McGuire to third. A sacrifice fly and errant throw home would allow another Tarpskunks run to cross home plate, capping off the scoring in the 4th. 

After a scoreless 5th inning, Travis Hammond and Cooper Fesh helped cut the Tarpskunks lead to one after Fesh drove in Hammond with a single following his leadoff double. Pencek’s day would end after recording one more out, leaving his stat line at 5.1 innings pitched, allowing 4 hits, 1 walk, and 1 earned run, with a blistering 8 strikeouts. He was relieved by lefty Will Taylor, who closed out the inning with no damage. 

The Muckdogs also made a pitching change in the 6th, as Erwins Branche took over for Gavin “Bama” Chandler. Bama’s day was very solid: in 5 innings, he gave up 9 hits, allowed zero walks, struck out 2 batters, and allowed only 1 earned run. 

After a spotless 6th inning by Branche, the bottom of the 7th inning told a different story. Brady McGuire was hit by a pitch, then stole second and advanced to third on a miscue by the Muckdogs defense. That momentum was compounded by a walk to Nolan Smith and a groundout RBI by Nolan Slanker. With two outs, a throwing error allowed another run to score and knocked Erwins Branche out of the game. Coming in to relieve was Jake Szlis, who gave up a hit to Nathan Borchardt, cementing the Tarpskunks lead at 6-2. 

That 6-2 lead would prove to be enough, as the Muckdogs showed some life in the top of the 9th inning but to no avail. The combination of the dominant Will Taylor and closer Jasean Brown for the last out was enough to hold off the Muckdogs. 

With the loss, Batavia’s record moves to 27-11-1 on the season. They still hold a two-game lead over the Jamestown Tarpskunks for first place in the West Division. Jamestown, with the win, climbs to 25-13 on the season and gains a game on first place. These two teams face each other again at Dwyer Stadium on Sunday, July 27th, for a huge game that could decide the first or second seed in the West Division! 

The Muckdogs are back in action tomorrow, July 22nd, as they take on the Auburn Doubledays. The game begins at 6:30 PM and will be livestreamed on the Batavia Muckdogs YouTube Channel. The Muckdogs return home on Thursday, July 24th, at 6:30 PM versus the Auburn Doubledays. Fans in attendance will have the opportunity to receive a free team photo of all your favorite Muckdogs players! 

You don’t want to miss it! Tickets start as low as $9. 
To purchase tickets or learn more information, please call (585) 524-2260 or visit our website at www.canusamuckdogs.com.