CarL1 Carolina Mudcats

Carolina Doubles Up Jacksonville

Published on May 3, 2003 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release


Jacksonville, FL --- Dontrelle Willis allowed three hits over eight innings as Carolina defeated Jacksonville 4-2 on Saturday night before 6,271 at the Grounds of Jacksonville.

Willis (W, 4-0, 8IP, 3H, 2ER, 3W, 4K), who won his fourth straight start, surrendered a pair of solo homers to Jason Repko and Reggie Abercrombie, along with a single by Koyie Hill.

Lacking great fastball command, Willis was still strong in his second win over the Suns (16-13) in as many starts.

Carolina (20-9) handed Willis a 2-0 lead against Suns starter Edwin Jackson in the third inning thanks to a two-out error by shortstop Mike Collins. Wilson Valdez (2-4, 2R, 2SB, CS) reached, then stole second and scored on a single by Josh Wilson (1-4, R, RBI). Chris Aguila (2-4, R, 2B, RBI) followed with a double plugging right-center to bring Wilson home.

After Repko's homer in the third, the Mudcats added a pair of disputed runs in the fifth. After a walk to Valdez started the inning and a flyout by Wilson, Aguila hit what appeared to be a foul ball past third base. Home plate umpire RJ Thompson, after hesitating, called the ball fair. Aguila, who had stopped running outside of the lefty batter's box, restarted and reached on a single with Valdez advancing to third. Suns manager Dino Ebel argued vehemently, but to no avail. Miguel Cabrera (1-3, RBI, W) then drilled a single off of the right foot of Jackson to score Valdez, and pushing Aguila first-to-third. Matt Padgett (1-3, RBI, SF) followed with a sacrifice fly.

Willis served Abercrombie's homer in the sixth, but became the first Mudcat starter to work eight innings this season.

Jose Cueto (S, 1, 1IP, 1K) pitched a perfect ninth for his second-ever save on U.S. soil.

The Mudcats send Ryan Snare (1-0, 4.80) to the hill Sunday afternoon at 3:05 PM ET against Jacksonville lefty Eric Stults (2-2, 5.40).

Notes: Cabrera's single in the fifth extended his hitting streak to 11 games. He is the fourth different Mudcat to reach double-figures on a hitting skein in 2003... Willis has won four straight starts. Carolina's franchise record is 6, set by Ryan Kibler in 2002... Cueto's save was the fourth of his career, and his first since his only save in 2000 while pitching for the Eugene Emeralds in the Northwest League in the Chicago Cubs system. Cueto's other two saves were in 1998 while in the Dominican Summer League... Jackson, the #3 prospect in the Dodgers system, remains the youngest player in the Southern League at 19, not turning 20 until September 9.

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Carolina League Stories from May 3, 2003


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