SL1 Carolina Mudcats

Mattison Superman against Mudcats

Published on July 27, 2011 under Southern League (SL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release


Zebulon, NC --- Jacksonville's Kevin Mattison homered and drove in two, but threw out the tying run at the plate in the last of the ninth to preserve Jacksonville's 5-4 victory over the Carolina Mudcats at Five County Stadium on Wednesday night.

After Mattison made a diving catch to rob the Mudcats' Eric Campbell of an RBI in the seventh, he charged in from center to field Campbell's single laced up the middle. James Skelton scored from third, but Mattison gunned an airborne throw to catcher Luke Montz, who wheeled clockwise and then snapped down a tag on the foot of Didi Gregorius at the plate to keep the Suns ahead. Neftali Soto then fanned to end the game, sending Carolina to its sixth straight loss.

Mattison homered to right on the game's second pitch from Matt Klinker (L, 6-7), then singled home a run in the second inning to stake the Suns to a 2-0 lead.

Carolina got on the board in the bottom of the second on an infield single by Jake Kahaulelio to score Yasmani Grandal from third.

Klinker allowed three more runs in the third inning, two coming on a homer by Jake Smolinski, who drilled a grand slam on Tuesday night.

Carolina nicked Jose Alvarez for a run in the fifth and entered the ninth trailing 5-2. Jhan Marinez allowed a single to Josh Fellhauer, then walked Skelton before Gregorius reached on an error by shortstop Chris Gutierrez to fill the bases. Chris Hatcher (S, 4) replaced Marinez to strike out Henry Rodriguez after falling behind 3-1 in the count. Mattison's game-saving heroics followed, sending the Suns to a 3-0 series lead.

Alvarez (W, 1-2) notched his first Double-A victory, working 5 2/3 innings, permitting five hits and two runs.

Klinker pitched five innings, surrendering seven hits and five earned runs.

Campbell threw out a pair of baserunners from left field, one at second base, and then shot down Paul Gran in the ninth attempting to score from second base on a single.

The series continues Thursday night at 7:15 PM ET with Brandon Hynick (1-2, 4.26) pitching against Omar Poveda (6-5, 4.20).

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Southern League Stories from July 27, 2011


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