Lawlor Records Seven Strikeouts, Mudcats Win Series
April 13, 2016 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release
WILMINGTON, DE - Starter Ryan Lawlor struck out seven and held the Blue Rocks to just one run on five hits over five innings and earned his first win of the season while leading the Mudcats to a 3-1 series clinching victory on Wednesday afternoon at Frawley Stadium.
The Mudcats (4-3) scored twice in the second and added one more late in the seventh while taking the series finale from the Blue Rocks (1-5). Carolina finished its season opening road trip at 4-3 and won the series from Wilmington at two games to one.
Braxton Davidson drove in the first run of the game with a single to center in the second off Wilmington starter Zach Lovvorn. Omar Obregon later had an infield RBI single to short in the same inning and the Mudcats led 2-0 after their half of the second.
Davidson (1-0) was 2-for-4 in the game with a RBI. Obregon drove in one and was 2-for-3, Ryan Gebhardt was 3-for-4 and Joseph Daris was 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored for Carolina.
Lawlor held the Blue Rocks to just one hit over the first four innings before being tested a bit in the fifth. The Blue Rocks managed to score a run (with help of a throwing error by Lawlor) in the fifth and pulled within one of the lead. Wilmington loaded the bases in the fifth and almost took the lead after Ryan O'Hearn singled with the bags full. But, his would be go-ahead single to right with the bases loaded hit base runner Robert Pehl in the leg between first and second and the resulting out ended the inning. Wilmington scored just once in the fifth and the Mudcats narrowly held onto the 2-1 lead.
Lawlor escaped the fifth with just one run allowed and departed the game after five. All seven of his strikeouts came over his first four innings pitched. He walked just one batter over five full frames and earned his first victory of the season. The left-hander used 86 pitches in the victory; with 55 counting for strikes.
Raymar Navarro followed Lawlor out of the bullpen and worked a scoreless sixth and seventh while earning his first hold of the year. He finished with one hit allowed and two strikeouts.
Left-hander Chase Johnson-Mullins (S, 2) finished the game by working a scoreless eighth and ninth and picked up his second save of the season. Johnson-Mullins allowed a hit and walked one in his appearance.
Lovvorn (0-2) took the loss after giving up a couple of runs on seven hits over four innings pitched. Josh Staumont also turned in four innings and did so out of the bullpen for the Blue Rocks. He walked one, struck out five and allowed one Mudcats run on four hits. Tim Hill pitched the ninth and kept the Mudcats scoreless despite allowing two hits.
The Mudcats took games two and three in the series and bring a two game winning streak back with them to Five County Stadium for Thursday's home opener. Carolina begins its home slate of games Thursday night with the first of four against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
RHP Matt Withrow will get the opening night start for the Mudcats against the Pelicans. The start will be his first of the season. The Pelicans will go with starter RHP Zach Hedges. The first pitch on opening night is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Thursday's opening night festivities will not include fireworks, but will include a magnet schedule giveaway (limit one per family). Tickets are available online at www.carolinamudcats.com, by calling (919) 269-2287 and in person at the Five County Stadium box office.
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- Wilmington Blue Rocks Drop Series Finale 3-1 - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Lawlor Records Seven Strikeouts, Mudcats Win Series - Carolina Mudcats
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- April 13 - Carolina Mudcats Game Information - Carolina Mudcats
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