Avina Hits 2-Run Blast in 5-2 Carolina Loss
June 21, 2023 - Carolina League (CarL)
Carolina Mudcats News Release
ZEBULON, N.C. - Jace Avina hit a two-run home run in the fourth and both Luke Adams and Luis Lara had two-hit games, but the Carolina Mudcats lost their second straight game 5-2 to the Lynchburg Hillcats on Wednesday night at Five County Stadium.
The Hillcats (31-34) scored three runs in the first on a three-run double from Juan Benjamin and led the entire way while stretching their winning streak to four straight games. Benjamin tried to reach third on his double in the first, but the Carolina (33-30) defense managed to catch him there to end the inning. Benjamin later added a bunt hit in the sixth and a RBI single in the ninth while going 3-for-4 with a double and four RBI.
Patricio Aquino started and nearly escaped the first before hitting a batter with a two-strike pitch to load the bases ahead of Benjamin's double. Aquino (L, 1-2) went on to pitch through a scoreless second and third before leaving with the bases and with two outs in the fourth. Reliever Jeison Pena took over and would go on to leave three inherited runners on base. In all, Aquino went three and 2/3 with three runs, four hits, four walks and two strikeouts while taking the loss.
Carolina was down 3-0 through the third and into the fourth before Avina connected on his two-run blast to left to get the Mudcats within one at 3-2. The home run was his sixth of the season and came off starter Yorman Gomez. The Avina home run, however, would be all that Gomez (W, 2-4) allowed as he earned the victory with a solid five inning start.
The Mudcats trailed 3-2 after the fourth, but the Hillcats went on to added a run in the seventh and a run in the ninth off reliever Yujanyer Herrera while going up 5-2. Herrera pitched through the final four innings after entering in the sixth. He went on to work through four full innings with two runs (one earned) allowed on six hits.
The Mudcats ended up hitting into two inning ending double plays, with the second coming with the bases loaded in the sixth.
The loss dropped Carolina into a 0-2 deficit in the series. Game three is scheduled for Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. and will feature the Mudcats playing as los Pescados de Carolina for Thirsty Thursday© presented by La Ley 101.1 FM. Thursday's game is also Bark in the Park presented by Dirty Dogs Spa.
HOME RUNS:
Carolina: Avina (6, 4th inning off Gomez, Y, 1 on, 1 out).
STOLEN BASES:
Lynchburg: Lipscomb (36, 2nd base off Aquino/Diaz); Cavenaugh (3, 2nd base off Herrera/Diaz).
Carolina: Lara (12, 2nd base off Gomez, Y/Fascia); Nicasia (18, 2nd base off Gomez, Y/Fascia).
TOP PERFORMERS - BATTERS:
Benjamin, DH (Lynchburg): 3-for-4, 1 2B, 4 RBI, 1 BB
Antunez, RF (Lynchburg): 2-for-4, 1 R, 1 2B
Avina, DH (Carolina): 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB
Lara, CF (Carolina): 2-for-4
Adams, 3B (Carolina): 2-for-3
TOP PERFORMERS - PITCHERS:
Gomez, Y (W, 2-4) (Lynchburg): 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 5 SO
Jasiak (H, 1) (Lynchburg): 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
Reyes, T (S, 3) (Lynchburg): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO
Pena, Je (Carolina): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO
SCORING:
Hillcats 1st (Hillcats 3, Mudcats 0) -- Guy Lipscomb grounds out, Alexander Perez to Jesus Chirinos. Tyresse Turner walks. Jose Devers strikes out swinging. Angel Genao singles to left-center field, Tyresse Turner to 2nd. Tyresse Turner advances to 3rd on a balk; Angel Genao advances to 2nd on a balk. Wuilfredo Antunez hit by pitch. Juan Benjamin doubles to right-center field, Tyresse Turner scores; Angel Genao scores; Wuilfredo Antunez scores; Juan Benjamin out at 3rd on the throw, Luis Lara to Gregory Barrios to Luke Adams.
(3 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB)
Mudcats 4th (Hillcats 3, Mudcats 2) -- Kay-Lan Nicasia walks. Luke Adams pops out to Angel Genao. Kay-Lan Nicasia steals 2nd base. throwing error by Zac Fascia. Jace Avina hits a home run down the left-field line on a 1-2 pitch, Kay-Lan Nicasia scores. Jesus Chirinos struck out looking. Blayberg Diaz strikes out swinging.
(2 Runs, 1 Hits, 1 Errors, 0 LOB)
Hillcats 7th (Hillcats 4, Mudcats 2) -- Tyresse Turner flies out to Luis Lara. Jose Devers doubles through the hole at second base. Wild pitch by Yujanyer Herrera, Jose Devers to 3rd. Angel Genao out on a sacrifice fly to Hedbert Perez, Jose Devers scores. Wuilfredo Antunez doubles to left field. Juan Benjamin strikes out swinging, Blayberg Diaz to Jesus Chirinos.
(1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB)
Hillcats 9th (Hillcats 5, Mudcats 2) -- Tyresse Turner strikes out swinging, Blayberg Diaz to Jesus Chirinos. Jose Devers grounds out, Gregory Barrios to Jesus Chirinos. Angel Genao reaches on throwing error by Luke Adams. Wuilfredo Antunez singles to right-center field, Angel Genao to 3rd. Juan Benjamin singles through the hole at second base, Angel Genao scores; Wuilfredo Antunez to 3rd. Pres Cavenaugh walks, Juan Benjamin to 2nd. Zac Fascia strikes out swinging.
(1 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Errors, 3 LOB)
Single-game tickets, season ticket packages, mini plans, group options, as well as luxury suite packages and DRB Homes Sky Lounge reservations in the US Foods Club Level are also still available now by visiting www.carolinamudcats.com, by calling (919) 269-2287, and by visiting the Five County Stadium front office in Zebulon.
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