Mudcats Split Double-Header

June 18, 2009 - Southern League (SL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release

Sevierville, TN --- A four-RBI game from Juan Francisco helped usher the Carolina Mudcats to a doubleheader split of Tennessee during an eight-hour afternoon at Smokies Park on Thursday.

With the split, first place Huntsville's magic number shrunk to four. Carolina trails the Stars by one-half game with three to play. Huntsville was defeated by Birmingham 5-4 on Thursday night.

The doubleheader, resulting from Wednesday's rainout, began at noon, with the Mudcats grabbing a 4-1 and 5-2 lead, but the Smokies continued to chip away, scoring single runs in five straight innings to force a tie by the sixth inning. Zack Cozart homered twice, once with a man on in the second, and later a solo homer in the fouth. However, the Smokies (29-38) hit four home runs in the game, including a game-tying home run by Darwin Barney leading off the eighth against Ramon Geronimo, who entered with a 6-5 lead in extra innings.

The game continued tied into the 10th, when with one out, major rains swept through the region, with the downpour forcing a 2-hour, 14-minute rain delay before the opener was resumed. With the contest tied 6-6 in the 12th, Phillippe Valiquette (L, 1-1) surrendered the game-winning home run to Tyler Colvin, his second of the game as the Smokies defeated Carolina 7-6.

In the nightcap, Francisco drove in two tie-breaking runs in the fifth with a bases-loaded single, then added an opposite-field homer in the seventh to complete a four-RBI game as the Mudcats defeated Tennessee 6-3. Travis Wood (W, 7-3) earned his seventh straight win, working five innings on eight hits. Sean Watson (S, 4) worked the final two innings for his fourth save.

Tom Cochran (1-0, 1.72) starts against Hung Wen-Chen (3-5, 6.19) Friday night at 7:15 PM ET.

• Discuss this story on the Southern League message board...

Southern League Stories from June 18, 2009

• Barons Shock Stars With 5-4 Win - Birmingham Barons
• 12-Hit Attack Provides Win on Thursday Night for Jaxx - Jackson Generals
• Barons Stun Stars in the Ninth - Huntsville Stars
• Jaxx Respond With 7-2 Game Two Win - Montgomery Biscuits
• Lookouts Trump M-Braves, 6-2 - Chattanooga Lookouts
• Mudcats Split Double-Header - Carolina Mudcats
• BayBears Drop Lead Late in Jacksonville - Mobile BayBears
• Suns Rally for Thursday Win - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
• Smokies Split Thursday Doubleheader with Carolina - Tennessee Smokies
• Sandoval Reinstated From DL - Huntsville Stars
• Glen Joins Roster - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
• Red, White & Blue International Diplomacy Tour - Mississippi Braves
• Mississippi Braves Homestand Highlights - Mississippi Braves
• Diamond Jaxx Roster Moves - Jackson Generals
• Allen, Omogrosso Promotions Highlight Flurry of Moves - Birmingham Barons

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Carolina Mudcats Stories

• Mudcats Squash Augusta Rally to Take Series Lead
• Nicasia Homers Again as Mudcats Even Series
• Rodriguez Goes Five Strong in Mudcats Defeat
• Mudcats Claim Fifth Straight Victory to Close out Down East Series
• Monster Fourth Inning Powers Mudcats to Fourth Straight Win