CarL1 Carolina Mudcats

Offense Erupts as Mudcats Sweep Twin Bill 5-1 and 11-5

Published on July 7, 2016 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release


ZEBULON, NC - Game One starter Caleb Beech struck out five over five and 2/3 innings, Keith Curcio had collected five hits over Games One and Two and the Mudcats received home runs from Braxton Davidson, Isaias Tejeda and Sal Giardina in Game Two while sweeping a doubleheader against the Red Sox 5-1 and 11-5 on Wednesday night at Five County Stadium.

The twin bill sweep was Carolina's first of the season and clinched a series victory as the Mudcats (34-50, 5-9) took a 3-0 series lead against the Red Sox (50-32, 7-6) in the four game set.

Beech (2-2, 3.27) earned the game one victory after pitching into the sixth and striking out five. He held the Red Sox scoreless through five before finally allowing a run and three hits in the sixth.

Trey Ball took the loss in game one after walking five and allowing three runs on just one run scoring hit in the second. Ball (5-4, 3.36) issued two bases loaded walks in the third and walked seven total while taking the loss.

Tanner Murphy had a RBI double in Carolina's three run second and was 2-for-4 in game one. Jose Fernandez was 2-for-3 with a triple, a run and one RBI in game one as well. Phil Pfeifer later earned the save after working through one and 1/3 innings with four strikeouts and two walks. It was his first save with the Mudcats and first since being acquired via trade by the Atlanta Braves.

Game Two began with the Red Sox scoring a run off spot starter Zack Bird (2.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO) in the first inning, The Mudcats, however, came back and took the lead in the same frame when Davidson hit a two-run home run to right.

Game Two starter Bobby Poyner gave up the home run to Davidson in the first and run scoring hits to Joseph Daris and Curcio in the second. Poyner (0-1, 6.59) pitched through the third and allowed a total of five runs on six hits while taking his first loss of the season.

Curcio was 4-for-4 with two runs and one RBI in game two. He also had a hit in game one and finished the day 5-for-8 with two runs and two RBI.

Salem came back with a two run fourth against reliever Carlos Salazar (1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO), but the Mudcats answered back with a five run outburst in the fourth against reliever Jorge Marban.

Davidson started the six run frame with a two-out RBI single off the right field wall and Tejeda kept it going with a line drive three-run home run to left. Giardina then went back-to-back with Tejeda after crushing a solo home run to right to put the Mudcats up 10-4.

Tejeda's home run was his second with the Mudcats and his first at Five County Stadium. Giardina's solo shot was his first this season and his first with Carolina.

Davidson was 2-for-4 with two runs, a home run and three RBI in the game two victory for the Mudcats. Tejeda also drove in three and was 2-for-4 with a triple and a home run. Jordan Edgerton was 3-for-3 and Obregon was 1-for-3 with two runs.

Taylor Lewis earned the Game Two win after holding the visiting Red Sox scoreless over two and 1/3 innings pitched. He also struck out three and left one inherited runner on base.

Carlos Portuondo worked the seventh and allowed one hit and one run in his second appearance with the Mudcats this season.

The twin bill sweep came in Carolina's ninth doubleheader of the year. The 11-5 Game Two victory also clinched Carolina's first series win since they took three of four against Winston-Salem between June 10 and June 12.

The series will conclude on Thursday night with Ryan Clark (0-10, 5.94) starting for the Mudcats.

Carolina Mudcats games air over the radio on The Big Dawg 98.5 FM and are streamed online at www.carolinamudcats.com via TuneIn Radio and the TuneIn Radio app. All home games are additionally streamed live in high definition video and live game audio via MiLB.tv.

Tickets to all Carolina Mudcats games are currently available by contacting a front office representative at (919) 269-CATS (2287) or by visiting www.carolinamudcats.com.

The Carolina Mudcats are the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. First established in 1991, the two-time Southern League Champion Carolina Mudcats are in their 26th consecutive season of baseball at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C.

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Carolina League Stories from July 7, 2016


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