Peterson Homers as Mudcats Edge Red Sox 3-2
August 18, 2015 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release
ZEBULON, NC - Dustin Peterson hit a game tying home run in the third, Connor Lien drove in Reed Harper as the go-ahead run in the fifth and the Mudcats received six solid innings out of starter Brandon Barker as they defeated the Red Sox 3-2 on Tuesday night at Five County Stadium.
The victory gave the Mudcats (62-58, 28-23) a 1-0 series lead against the Red Sox (55-65, 17-38) and pulled them within four games of first place Winston-Salem in the second half race. The Dash and Myrtle Beach Pelicans were rained out on Tuesday night and will play a doubleheader in Winston-Salem on Wednesday.
Peterson's home run in the third answered a two run top side from the Red Sox and tied the game up 2-2. The home run was Peterson's seventh of the year and his first since July 17. Peterson finished 2-for-4 in the game with a run and one batted in.
Barker (W, 8-3, 3.00) then held the tie through the fifth before the Mudcats jumped out in front again on a two-out RBI single to left by Lien in the bottom half. Harper scored the go-ahead run after reaching two batters earlier on a double to deep right center off Daniel McGrath (L, 1-6, 4.41). Harper's run gave the Mudcats a 3-2 lead and was enough for Barker and the Carolina bullpen in the series opening victory.
McGrath took the loss after allowing three runs and five hits over six innings. German Taveras finished the game for Salem and held the Mudcats without a hit over two scoreless frames.
The Mudcats originally led 1-0 in the game after getting one run and two hits in the first. Lien was hit by a pitch to start the rally and later scored on consecutive hits from Peterson and Jacob Schrader. The early lead was short lived though as the Red Sox rallied for two runs in the third. Jordan Porcyshen singled to center and scored on a RBI double by Wendell Rijo to tie it at 1-1. Then Deiner Lopez scored on a ground out to second to put the Red Sox up 2-1.
Barker pitched through the sixth and allowed two runs and five hits. He walked one, struck out three and used 91 pitches (62 strikes) to get through six. He eventually turned things over to relievers Carlos Salazar and Justin Jackson who finished the game for the Mudcats.
Salazar walked two straight to start the seventh before eventually escaping without allowing a run and leaving two men on base. He struck out two and walked two while tossing a scoreless frame and earning his first hold of the season.
Jackson (S, 3) pitched the eighth and ninth and finished with three strikeouts over two scoreless. He pitched around a hit in both innings, but held the Red Sox quiet overall while earning his third save of the season.
The series continues on Wednesday night with the first pitch scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Five County Stadium. LHP Yean Carlos Gil will start for Carolina against RHP Ty Buttrey and the Red Sox.
All games air on the Mudcats Radio Network, The Big Dawg 98.5 FM, Rock City 99.3 FM and Sports 1490 AM. Games are also streamed online at www.carolinamudcats.com via TuneIn Radio and the TuneIn Radio app. TuneIn Radio is the official digital audio partner of MiLB.com.
Individual tickets are now available online at www.carolinamudcats.com, by calling (919) 269-2287 and by visiting the Five County Stadium box office.
Premium Field Level seats are $12.00, Box Seats are $10.00 and Cattail Skybox Seats are $15.00. Flex plans, group tickets and the "Muddy Unreal Deal" plan are also currently available for purchase.
The Carolina Mudcats are the Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. The 2015 "Braves New World" season is the first for the Mudcats as an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and their fourth straight in the historic Carolina League. First established in 1991, the Carolina Mudcats are entering their 25th straight season of baseball at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C. Fans can purchase tickets or find more information by calling (919) 269-2287 or by visiting www.carolinamudcats.com.
Carolina League Stories from August 18, 2015
- Potomac Sweeps Twin Bill over Wilmington 5-0 and 4-2 - Potomac Nationals
- Peterson Homers as Mudcats Edge Red Sox 3-2 - Carolina Mudcats
- Hillcats Score in Each of Last Five Innings to Take Opener - Frederick Keys
- Wilmington Begins Six-Game Home Stand with Two Losses against Nationals - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Haase, Frazier Power 'Cats Past Keys, 8-2 - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Mudcats Slip Past Red Sox, 3-2 - Salem Red Sox
- Rain Postpones Series Opener at Winston-Salem - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Tuesday's Game Postponed; Twin Bill Set for Wednesday - Winston-Salem Dash
- Pitcher Tyler Sulina Returns from Disabled List - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Hillcats Game Notes August 18, 2015, 6:30 vs. Frederick - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Pelicans Game Notes: 7:00 p.m. ET at Winston-Salem Dash - August 18, 2015 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Mike Meyers Joins Salem Red Sox - Salem Red Sox
- August 18 - Carolina Mudcats Game Information - Carolina Mudcats
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes (August 18 vs. Myrtle Beach) - Winston-Salem Dash
- Zagunis Placed on 7-Day DL; Rogers Returns from Double-A - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
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