SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Mudcats Pull Away Late for Series-Opening Victory

Published on April 14, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


JACKSONVILLE, FLA. - The Carolina Mudcats (8-3) scored in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings against the Jacksonville Suns (4-7) for a 6-3 come-from-behind victory Monday in front of 1,491 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

Carolina reliever Willie Glen (2-0) picked up the win while Jacksonville reliever Brian Akin (1-0) fell in the loss. Todd Doolittle (4) saved the game for the Mudcats.

The Jacksonville Suns opened the scoring during the fourth inning in support of starter James McDonald. Lucas May led off with a double followed by a Russell Mitchell fielder's choice sacrifice. A walk of Jamie Hoffmann loaded the base with no outs. Juan Gonzalez then took a Chris Volstad pitch off the right arm to drive home a run for a 1-0 Jacksonville lead. Shane Justis next bounced a single through the right side to score Mitchell for a 2-0 Suns advantage.

The lead seemed safe as McDonald worked well in his third start of the season. Through the first five innings the right-hander allowed two baserunners: a second inning single, followed by 12 consecutive outs, and a one-out walk in the fifth inning. McDonald struck out nine in his first five innings of work.

Carolina's offense came to life against McDonald in the sixth inning. John Raynor led off with a single followed by a walk of Cameron Maybin. Manuel Mayorson's sacrifice bunt put two runners in scoring position with one out. Chris Coghlan next doubled home both runners to tie the game 2-2, knocking McDonald out of the game.

McDonald finished with five a one-thirds innings, two earned runs, three hits, two walks and nine strikeouts.

The Mudcats offense capitalized on an error in the seventh inning, when Suns third baseman Shane Justis threw wild of first base on a Kris Harvey groundball to start the frame. Two batters later, Lorenzo Scott doubled Harvey home for a 3-2 Carolina lead.

Carolina then padded the lead in the eighth inning, scoring three runs with two out. Chris Coghlan led off with a single, followed by back-to-back outs. After a Kris Harvey walk, Brett Hayes singled home Coghlan for a 4-2 lead. A walk of Lorenzo Scott knocked reliever Brian Akin out of the game after two innings of work. Yhency Brazoban came out of the Suns bullpen to face former Suns catcher Alberto Concepcion, who rolled a groundball toward first base. Suns first baseman Rene Rivera mishandled the ball, allowing two runs to score for a 6-2 Carolina lead.

Suns catcher Lucas May belted a solo homerun to begin the bottom of the eighth inning to end the scoring at 6-3.

Brian Akin (two innings) Yhency Brazoban (two-thirds of an inning) and Rick Asadoorian (two-thirds of an inning) all saw relief time for Jacksonville behind starter James McDonald.

The Suns and Mudcats continue the series Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Suns LH Clayton Kershaw (0-2, 3.38) makes his third start of the year and will face Mudcats RH Ryan Tucker (0-1, 2.70), the Florida Marlins' fourth-ranked prospect (Baseball America). The first 2,000 through the gates will receive a number 42 lapel pin in honor of Jackie Robinson Day, sponsored by V101.5 FM and 93.3 The Beat. Tuesday is also Fifty-Cent Family Feast Night featuring fifty-cent hot dogs, peanuts and ice cream treats sponsored by Blue Bell Ice Cream, Hampton Farms and Folio Weekly. Tickets are available by calling the Suns box office at (904) 358-2846 or by visiting the Suns online at jaxsuns.com.

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Southern League Stories from April 14, 2008


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