CarL1 Carolina Mudcats

Messenger, Ambres Lead Mudcats to Victory

Published on May 12, 2003 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release


Mobile, AL -- Randy Messenger pitched into the sixth inning while Chip Ambres scored three times to lead Carolina to its third straight win over the Mobile BayBears at Hank Aaron Stadium on Monday night.

With its 6-4 victory, Carolina (25-12) maintained its two-game lead over Tennessee in the East. The Mudcats have outscored the BayBears (14-22) 23-5 in the series, and are a perfect 6-0 against Mobile in 2003.

Messenger (W, 2-3, 5.2IP, 5H, 2ER, 2W, 2K) notched his second Double-A win and collected his first professional hit in the second to give himself the game's first lead. Messenger drilled an 0-1 pitch from Brad Baker (L, 0-4) to centerfield to score Chris Ashby (2-4, R, RBI). Hoping to throw home, outfielder Todd Donovan could not scoop Messenger's hit, instead throwing to an undefended third base on Ambres. The throw bounced into the Carolina dugout and Ambres (2-4, 3R, 2B, W) was awarded home as Carolina went ahead 2-0.

In the fourth, a bunt by Wilson Valdez (0-4, W) was bobbled by a hurried first baseman Danny Bravo to score Ambres from third as Carolina moved up 3-0.

Jon Knott (HR, 7) hit a solo homer against Messenger in the fourth, his second of the series.

Carolina, though, stretched the lead to 5-1 in the fifth on a run-scoring triple by Josh Wilson (1-4, R, 3B, RBI, W), followed by a single from Chris Ashby (2-4, R, RBI).

Chris Aguila (1-5, 2B, RBI) doubled home Ambres in the eighth to complete Carolina's scoring, lifting the lead to 6-2.

The BayBears touched long reliever Jose Cueto (ND, 2.1IP, 4H, 2ER, 0W, 1K, 1WP) for a pair of runs in the eighth before Mike Flannery (S, 4, 1IP, 0H, 0R, 1W, 2K) registered his first save since April 17th. Flannery walked the first hitter, then struck out successive batters before Ambres corralled Rico Washington's popup representing the tying run to end the game.

The Mudcats, now 6-5 on their longest road trip of the season, conclude the swing with the finale in Mobile Tuesday night. Donnie Bridges (2-0, 4.50) starts against Mobile lefty Cory Stewart (3-2, 3.41) at 8:05 PM ET.

Notes: Mobile shortstop Khalil Greene and manager Craig Colbert were ejected by home plate umpire Rob Hansen in the fourth inning after Greene argued a check-swing strike three call. Hansen did not ask for an appeal, to which Greene disputed and was immediately thrown out. After a long argument between innings, Colbert was run as well. Hansen was umpiring his second game in the Southern League after being promoted from the California League on Friday... Drew Niles extended his hitting streak to seven with a third inning single, one short of his career high set back in 1999 at Double-A Portland... Chris Ashby started at catcher for the Mudcats, marking his first start as backstop since 1996. Ashby, originally drafted as a catcher by the New York Yankees in 1992, was converted to a first baseman in 1997, then to the outfield. Ryan Jorgensen was relieved in Sunday night's game by Ashby for the final two innings after catching 102 consecutive innings. Brandon Harper, Jorgensen's back-up, is expected back from a severe left ankle sprain during the Carolina homestand which begins on Thursday night.... Carolina has beaten the BayBears seven straight games dating to last June 4, 2002... Mike Flannery will take an excused leave of absence from the club after Monday's game to return home to New Jersey. He's expected back later in the week.

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Carolina League Stories from May 12, 2003


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