SL1 Carolina Mudcats

Ambres, Ryan power Carolina past Birmingham

Published on August 21, 2004 under Southern League (SL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release


Birmingham, AL --- Chip Ambres and Rob Ryan each hit two-run homers as Carolina handed first-place Birmingham its first home series loss of the second half with a 7-5 victory on Friday night at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.

Ambres (HR, 16, 2-3, r, 2b, 3rbi, w) drilled a centerfield homer against Jim Bullard (L, 8-4) to break a 1-1 tie in the third inning. The homer was Ambres' third on the just concluded 12-game road trip, and his career-best 16th.

Ryan (HR, 2, 1-2, r, 2rbi, k), who was recalled to Triple-A Albuquerque after the game, hit the first pitch he saw in the game for a two-run shot to right in the seventh inning. Ryan had entered defensively for Jeff Inglin (0-3) in left field in the sixth.

Carolina (26-27, 63-60) completed the road swing through Tennessee, West Tenn and Birmingham 8-4, just one win short of its best-ever 12-game trip.

Brian Strelitz (W, 3-1, 2.2ip, 4h, 2r, 2er, 1w, 1k) earned the win in relief of starter Mike McNutt (ND, 4ip, 5h, 2r, 2er, 4w, 1k), who threw 70 pitches in four innings in just his second game back from appendicitis.

Randy Messenger (S, 18, 1ip, 1h, 0r, 0w, 1k) earned his 18th save in 20 chances, working a one-hit ninth inning.

Billy Hall (3-5, rbi, k, sb) extended his hitting streak to 13 games, the longest of the season by a Mudcat and six games shy of the club record.

The Mudcats won the season set with Birmingham 4-3.

Carolina returns home for the first time since August 8th to host first-place Chattanooga in a five-game, four-day series at Five County Stadium beginning Saturday night at 7:15 PM ET. Jeff Fulchino (5-5) will start against Chattanooga's Lance Caraccioli (2-0). The Lookouts (38-15) lead the Eastern Division by eight games over Greenville, and 12 in front of Carolina with just 17 to play. The elimination number against Carolina is six - any combination of six Lookouts wins or Mudcats losses will prevent Carolina from heading to the post-season for the third straight year.

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Southern League Stories from August 21, 2004


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