The Muckdogs (0-1) fell to the Auburn Doubledays (1-0) in a low-scoring affair on Friday night, 2-1, on the road in their season opener.
After an hour rain delay, the 2014 Muckdogs season finally got underway shortly after 8:00 PM. In the bottom of the first, after a quick 1-2-3 inning from the Muckdog bats in the top-half of the inning, Auburn’s leadoff hitter Osvaldo Abreu would strikeout but reach 1st on a wild pitch from Batavia starting pitcher Andy Beltre. After a Drew Vettleson strikeout, Jose Marmolejos-Diaz grounded out and Abreu advanced to 2nd. Jean Carlos Valdez then doubled to deep left, scoring Abreu to give Auburn the early 1-0 lead.
Over the next 2 1/2 innings, neither team could get much going on offense, as there was just one single and one walk from the next 16 batters that came to the plate.
In the bottom of the 4th, Auburn was looking to extend their lead. Marmolejos-Diaz singled to leadoff the frame, and Valdez reached on a fielding error by Muckdogs shortstop Aaron Blanton. With men on 1st and 2nd with nobody out, Cody Gunter laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners up. Raudy Read flew out to left fielder Coco Johnson, who then gunned it to third baseman Hiram Martinez to nail Valdez and end the threat, keeping the score at 1-0.
Leading off the top of the 5th, Batavia’s Kevin Grove reached on a fielding error, and Aaron Blanton followed with a single. Up next, Iramis Olivencia couldn’t get the job done, bunting it in the air to the pitcher for the 1st out. Luis Alberto Sanz then flew out to right field, but Grove would tag-up and head to third, which would prove to be key. With Hiram Martinez at the dish, Auburn pitcher Reynaldo Lopez threw the ball away on a pickoff attempt, sending Grove home to tie the game at 1.
Runs would continue to come at premium, with both teams struggling to get a whole lot going at the plate.
In the bottom of the 7th, Cody Gunter doubled to lead things off for the Doubledays, and Raudy Read followed with a walk. Diomedes Eusebio would fly out to center fielder Ryan Aper, but an errant throw by Aper would allow Gunter to score the go-ahead run, and that would be enough for Auburn.
In the top of the 8th, Mario Sanchez came in for the Doubledays, and would set down the Muckdogs in order with two 1-2-3 innings to close out the game and earn the 6-out save.
Victor Castro was one of the few bright spots for the Muckdogs box score, picking up 2 hits in the loss. Kevin Grove and Aaron Blanton picked up the other two hits for Batavia.
Andy Beltre pitched solid in the start for Batavia, going 5 innings, while allowing just 1 run on 2 hits with 8 strikeouts. Yeims Mendoza picked up the loss in relief, giving up the unearned run.
The Muckdogs will look to get the bats going for their Saturday night Home Opener at Dwyer Stadium. First pitch will be at 7:05 PM.
One fan will win $75 worth of “Muck Bucks,” which can be used to purchase concessions or merchandise at Dwyer Stadium, presented by The Genesee County Baseball Club and Muckdogs Booster Club. There’s also a Magnet Schedule Giveaway, presented by The Daily News, for the 1st 1000 fans in attendance, as well as Dollar Draft Saturday from 6:00 – 7:00 PM, presented by Eastown Beverage and Batavia Redemption Center. 12-oz. Bud Light and Genny Light draft beers are just $1.00! Before the game, Papa and Mama Root will preform oldies rock ‘n’ roll in the concourse, presented by Tim Horton’s/Cold Stone Creamery of Batavia and New Buffalo Impact. Come out and support the Dogs!
