Mudcats Get Past Suns, 5-2
July 5, 2007 - Southern League (SL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release
Zebulon, NC- Eric Riggs' fifth inning home run gave the Carolina Mudcats (8-10) their first victory over a Southern Division opponent in over a month, a 5-2 defeat of the Jacksonville Suns (13-5) Thursday night at Five County Stadium.
Riggs' fourth home run on the season broke a 2-2 tie and ignited a three-run fifth inning for Carolina, which had lost eight straight games to the Suns. The leadoff shot was followed by two doubles off the bats of Chase Lambin and Lee Mitchell. Suns starter Alvis Ojeda, who threw a perfect fourth inning, ran out of gas in the fifth and was pulled after those three leadoff hits.
Lambin scored off Mitchell's double for his 52nd RBI. Mitchell is now 10 back from the Southern League Leader, Mississippi's Brandon Jones. Mitchell was eventually brought home by a Jai Miller force out to give Carolina a three run lead.
Mudcats starter Jimmy Serrano pitched one more inning given the three run lead to better his record to 2-1. Serrano pitched six innings giving up just two runs off a pair of base hits.
Mauro Zarate and Chris Mobley combined to close the game with three perfect innings. Zarate came in the seventh, pitching two innings to the seven to three hitters in the Suns lineup. Closer-pro-temp for the Mudcats Mobley got the heart of Jacksonville's order to earn his fifth save. At Middle Tennessee State, Mobley combined for three saves during his three years in Murfreesboro.
The victory gives Carolina their first after dropping 16 straight to South division opponents, which started with a May 29 loss to Mobile. Carolina will hope to continue their hitting tomorrow as right hander James Russ (1-2, 3.55) makes his 11th start. Russ will face former second round pick Zach Hammes (3-5, 4.62). First pitch is set for 7:15 with fireworks following the game.
Southern League Stories from July 5, 2007
- BayBears Hand Over Win to Montgomery - Mobile BayBears
- Independence Weekend Fireworks Friday - Mobile BayBears
- Hart Deals and Smokies Slam Long Balls in 8-0 Win - Knoxville Smokies
- Smokies Turn on Power and Shut Down Stars - Huntsville Stars
- Lookouts Steal One from Braves - Mississippi Braves
- Jaxx Cure Road Woes, 6-1 - Jackson Generals
- Mudcats Get Past Suns, 5-2 - Carolina Mudcats
- Riggs Homerun Sparks Mudcats Rally - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Fireworks at the Hank - Mobile BayBears
- Changes to Stars' Pitching Staff - Huntsville Stars
- Biscuits win wild one over Mobile, 11-8 - Montgomery Biscuits
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