CarL Carolina Mudcats

Castillo Homers as Mudcats Defeat Columbia 5-4

Published on July 26, 2023 under Carolina League (CarL)
Carolina Mudcats News Release


COLUMBIA, S.C. - Luis Castillo hit a three-run home run in the fifth, Luis Lara scored twice while collecting two hits, Luke Adams had a RBI double and Jace Avina went 2-for-4 with a double and a triple as the Carolina Mudcats defeated the Columbia Fireflies for the second straight game, 5-4 on Wednesday night at Segra Park in Columbia, S.C.

The Mudcats (15-10, 48-40) originally jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the fourth when Adams drove in Lara with a double before scoring a few batters later on a single from Jesus Chirinos. The Fireflies (13-13, 48-43) came back with a run in the home half of the fourth, but Carolina answered with Castillo's home run while taking a 5-1 lead in the fifth. The home run was Castillo's first of the season.

Down 5-1 in the fifth, Columbia went on to chip away to get within one with two runs in the fifth and one in the seventh. Lizandro Rodriguez singled against Carolina starter Alexander Vallecillo, before later scoring on a wild pitch during Columbia's two-run fourth. Jean Ramirez, who went 3-for-3 in the game, later singled off Low to drive in the second run of the game.

Vallecillo started for Carolina and allowed a run in the fourth and one in the fifth while going four plus with two runs (one earned) on just three hits. He also walked and struck out one while finishing without a decision.

Low (W, 1-3) took over in the fifth and allowed an inherited runner to score before allowing one of his own as well in the fifth. He also gave up a run in the seventh and ended up allowing two runs on two hits over three innings. He also worked around five walks and struck out three while earning his first career victory.

Yerlin Rodriguez finished the game with two scoreless innings while picking up his fifth save in his last six appearances. Rodriguez (S, 5) first worked a scoreless eighth before working around a walk in the ninth by inducing a double play to end the game.

Shane Panzini started for Columbia and allowed all five Carolina runs while taking the loss. Panzini (L, 1-8) also gave up seven hits, walked three and struck out five while suffering his eighth loss of the season. Relievers Mack Anglin and Cooper McKeehan combined on the final four inning and held the Mudcats scoreless, and to just three more hits, the rest of the way.

The first-place Mudcats took a 2-0 lead in the six-game series with Wednesday's edging of the Fireflies. The series will continue on Thursday night at Segra Park with Patricio Aquino starting for the Mudcats.

HOME RUNS:

Carolina: Castillo (1, 5th inning off Panzini, 2 on, 2 out).

TOP PERFORMERS - BATTERS:

Castillo, RF (Carolina): 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI

Lara, CF (Carolina): 2-for-4, 2 R

Adams, 3B (Carolina): 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI

Avina, LF (Carolina): 2-for-4, 1 2B, 1 3B

Ramirez, J, LF (Columbia): 3-for-3, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 RBI, 1 BB

Rodriguez, L, 2B (Columbia): 1-for-2, 2 R, 2 BB

TOP PERFORMERS - PITCHERS:

Vallecillo (Carolina): 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO

Low (W, 1-3) (Carolina): 3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 3 SO

Rodriguez (S, 5) (Carolina): 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO

Anglin (Columbia): 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO

McKeehan (Columbia): 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO

SCORING:

Mudcats 4th (Mudcats 2, Fireflies 0) -- Luis Lara singles to right field. Luke Adams doubles to left-center field, Luis Lara scores. Luis Castillo flies out to Levi Usher. Jadher Areinamo singles through the hole at second base, Luke Adams to 3rd. Jace Avina strikes out swinging. Jesus Chirinos singles to center field, Luke Adams scores; Jadher Areinamo to 3rd. Blayberg Diaz flies out to Levi Usher. (2 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors, 2 LOB)

Fireflies 4th (Mudcats 2, Fireflies 1) -- Jean Ramirez triples to right field. Omar Hernandez flies out to Jace Avina. Austin Charles lines out to Daniel Guilarte. Brett Squires walks. Brett Squires steals 2nd base, Jean Ramirez scores; Brett Squires to 3rd; throwing error by Blayberg Diaz. Daniel Vazquez pops out to Daniel Guilarte. (1 Runs, 1 Hits, 1 Errors, 1 LOB)

Mudcats 5th (Mudcats 5, Fireflies 1) -- Tayden Hall walks. Daniel Guilarte singles to shallow left field, Tayden Hall to 2nd. Luis Lara hit by pitch, Tayden Hall to 3rd; Daniel Guilarte to 2nd. Luke Adams grounds into double play, Austin Charles to Omar Hernandez to Brett Squires, Tayden Hall out at home, Daniel Guilarte to 3rd; Luis Lara to 2nd; Luke Adams out at 1st. Luis Castillo hits a home run to right field on a 1-0 pitch, Daniel Guilarte scores; Luis Lara scores. Jadher Areinamo lines out to Levi Usher. (3 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB)

Fireflies 5th (Mudcats 5, Fireflies 3) -- Lizandro Rodriguez singles through the hole at shortstop. Pitcher Change: Quinton Low replaces Alexander Vallecillo. Erick Pena walks, Lizandro Rodriguez to 2nd. Brennon McNair singles to shallow left field, Lizandro Rodriguez to 3rd; Erick Pena to 2nd. Wild pitch by Quinton Low, Lizandro Rodriguez scores; Erick Pena to 3rd; Brennon McNair to 2nd. Erick Pena out at home, Blayberg Diaz, Brennon McNair to 3rd. Levi Usher walks. Jean Ramirez singles to left-center field, Brennon McNair scores; Levi Usher to 3rd. Omar Hernandez grounds into double play, Daniel Guilarte to Jadher Areinamo to Jesus Chirinos, Jean Ramirez out at 2nd, Omar Hernandez out at 1st. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB)

Fireflies 7th (Mudcats 5, Fireflies 4) -- Lizandro Rodriguez walks. Erick Pena strikes out swinging. Brennon McNair walks, Lizandro Rodriguez to 2nd. Levi Usher strikes out swinging, Lizandro Rodriguez steals 3rd base, Brennon McNair steals 2nd base. Jean Ramirez walks. Wild pitch by Quinton Low, Lizandro Rodriguez scores; Brennon McNair to 3rd; Jean Ramirez to 2nd. Omar Hernandez flies out to Luis Castillo. (1 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 2 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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Carolina League Stories from July 26, 2023


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