Seven innings was all that was needed for the Chillicothe Mudcats on Saturday night against Sedalia, as they blew the Bombers away 10-0 at Shaffer Park in their first run-rule of the season. Peyton Becker, Jordi Ventura, and Tanner Sears each collected three hits, while Layne Rutherford threw six shutout innings.
The scoring began with four runs in the second inning. Sears and John Spoto each singled, before Sedalia’s starter hit the next two batters. Justin Dameron took a baseball to the body to force in their first run. Aiden Baerenklau drove in another with a sacrifice fly, which was followed by a two-run single from Becker to take a 4-0 lead.
That run support was more than enough for Rutherford, who dominated for his entire time on the mound. In his second start, he struck out two Bombers in the second inning, three more in the third, and would finish with nine on the day. That performance sets the mark for most strikeouts in a game for a Mudcats pitcher this season. In six scoreless frames, he allowed just two hits and two walks.
The Mudcats offense was not even close to being done after that four-run second inning. They scored a Ventura leadoff double in the third, and plated two more in the fourth with three hits.
The big hit party came in the sixth inning, when five Mudcat hits got them to double-digit runs for the second time this summer. Baerenklau started it with his first double, and scored from third on a sacrifice fly that was caught at the very front of the grass in right field. Ventura laced Chillicothe’s first triple of the year, and scored on a Sears double.
Needing just three outs in seventh to end the game early, the Mudcats sent out Hayden Cox in relief. He held the Bombers off the board, and secured the 10-0 win.
Saturday was the tenth consecutive loss for the Bombers, who have dropped three-of-four games to Chillicothe in their season series. The Mudcats get back to even in M.I.N.K. play at 6-6, holding onto third place.
The week concludes with a visit to Nevada on Sunday night, the Griffons are 7-10.
Winning Pitcher: Layne Rutherford (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Maverick Gentry (0-2)
Time of Game: 1:45
