SL1 Carolina Mudcats

Mudcats Blow Past Suns

Published on July 1, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release


Jacksonville, FL --- Despite hitting into a triple play for the first time in nine years and four other double plays during the Carolina Mudcats defeated the Jacksonville Suns 4-1 in the series opener at the Baseball Grounds before 4,167 fans on Tuesday afternoon.

Cameron Maybin, Manuel Mayorson and Gaby Sanchez each had two hits to lead the Mudcats (7-6) back above the .500 mark in the second half, winning for the eighth time in 11 meetings at the Baseball Grounds.

Carolina scored twice against Suns starter Jesus Castillo (L, 5-4) before he recorded the first out of the game, but when he did, he finished the inning. Maybin singled to begin the game and then stole second. Mayorson doubled Maybin home ahead of a Chris Coghlan single to left to give the Mudcats a 2-0 lead. Sanchez followed with a single to center, moving Coghlan to second. With the runners breaking, Lee Mitchell hit a 1-2 pitch on a soft loop toward the second base bag. Jacksonville shortstop Ivan DeJesus made a diving catch, then threw to Shane Justis covering second base for the force out on Coghlan, while he slapped a tag on the chest of Sanchez to finish the triple play. Carolina's Ben Petrick hit into its last triple play against Greenville in 1999 at Five County Stadium.

Rick Vanden Hurk (W, 3-1) won his second straight decision, laboring through five innings on two hits, walking four and whiffing seven. Vanden Hurk only allowed a solo homer to Lucas May in the Suns' second inning.

The Mudcats scored single runs in the third and fourth against Castillo for a 4-1 lead. Castillo, who had permitted just three earned runs over his last 24 2/3 innings, allowed a season-high 10 hits over five innings, during which he threw 100 pitches.

In one other oddity during the game, Coghlan was hit to begin the seventh inning, but after Sanchez hit a bullet to third that was caught by Russell Mitchell, Coghlan was awarded third base when Mitchell's throw sailed into the stands behind first. However, Coghlan cut across the infield to go to third, and after a series of appeals and discussions involving the umpires and two managers, the Suns (6-7) ultimately appealed that Coghlan had missed second base, and was ruled out. After a few innings of research in New York City by Major League Baseball, Mitchell's throwing error was rescinded and Coghlan was simply ruled out at second base by appeal.

Chris Mobley (S, 14) earned his 14th save working the ninth, his seventh consecutive save in seven appearances. Willie Glen and Jesus Delgado combined for three innings of shutout ball.

The Mudcats will make up Monday's rainout with a Wednesday night doubleheader with Chris Volstad and Tim Corcoran starting. The opening game begins at 6:00 PM ET.

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Southern League Stories from July 1, 2008


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