SL1 Carolina Mudcats

Carolina wins over Tennessee

Published on June 9, 2007 under Southern League (SL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release


Zebulon, NC- The Carolina Mudcats (22-41) preserved a tight lead to knock off the first place Tennessee Smokies 5-4 Saturday night at Five County Stadium.

Mudcats starting pitcher Gaby Hernandez (3-6) earned the victory while reliever Maruro Zarate notched his first save for the Mudcats, a two-inning performance.

The Mudcats got to Smokies starter Mark Holliman early, owner of the Southern League's second best ERA at 2.39. Left fielder Dante Brinkley started the game with his fourth homer on the season, to give Carolina a quick 1-0 lead. The Mudcats would attack Holliman again in the third. Hernandez started the inning with a single and was brought home along with Brinkley by an Eric Riggs double. Riggs was later brought home by a Chase Lambin double.

Carolina would preserve the 4-1 lead until the ninth despite a pair of Smokies threats in the sixth and seventh inning. Tennessee right fielder Josh Kroeger picked up his 44th RBI on the season when his sixth inning double sent Jorge Cortes home. Kroeger currently sits fourth for RBI in the league. Cortes would cut the lead to 4-3 an inning later with an RBI bunt.

Mudcats catcher Brett Hayes gave the Mudcats a pivotal insurance run in the eighth with a two-out RBI double.

Zarate would eventually give up one run in the ninth as the Mudcats held on for the victory. Three of the Smokies (33-28) runs reached base by walks.

Both teams square off tomorrow under the sun as James Russ (0-2, 4.88) and the Mudcats look to take the series against southpaw Donnie Veal and the Tennessee Smokies. First pitch is set for 2:00 at Five County Stadium.

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Southern League Stories from June 9, 2007


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