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Mudcats Leave Bases Loaded in One-Run Loss

Trailing two runs in the ninth inning, the Chillicothe Mudcats loaded the bases with no outs, but came up just short in a 3-2 loss to the Jefferson City Renegades on Wednesday night.

 

The Renegades scored all of their runs in the first inning. Three singles, a hit batter, and an error put them ahead early 3-0.

 

It came against Mudcats starter Layne Rutherford, who had an active streak of 12 straight scoreless innings. He battled blisters on his throwing hand from the start of the game, and finished with six innings allowing only one earned run.

 

Yet, his quality start was out-dueled by Jefferson City’s Brayden Groseclose. In just his second start of the season, Groseclose struck out eight Mudcats in 5.2 shutout innings. Seven of his strikeouts came looking, as he locked up hitters with the curveball.

 

In danger of being shutout for the first time this season, Chillicothe plated a run against the Renegades bullpen in the seventh inning to cut the lead to 3-1.

 

In the ninth, the Mudcats sandwiched a flare single between two walks to load the bases. The Renegades sidearm closer recovered to strikeout the next two batters, before forcing in a run with a walk to Garrett Geenan that made it 3-2.

 

That brought up Jordi Ventura, one of Chillicothe’s most dangerous hitters. He grounded out to second base to end the game.

 

The Mudcats now trail the season series to Jefferson City 3-1, and fall back to third place in the M.I.N.K. league standings. They will stay on the road for their final meeting with the Sedalia Bombers on Thursday.

 

Winning Pitcher: Brayden Groseclose (3-0)

Losing Pitcher: Layne Rutherford (2-1)

Save: Carter Otto

Time of Game: 2:34

Box Score