Riggs fuels Mudcats offense
July 15, 2007 - Southern League (SL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release
Jackson, TN --- Eric Riggs hit two of Carolina's four home runs, including the Mudcats' first grand slam since 2005, as Carolina crushed West Tenn for its third straight win, 12-4 at Pringles Park on Saturday night.
Riggs hit a two-run homer in the first inning, then delivered a grand slam to right field as part of a nine-run fourth inning. Jai Miller and Grant Psomas also homered in the fourth, a frame which saw Carolina (11-13) score all nine of its runs before a batter was retired. Miller blasted a three-run homer to ignite the inning, while Psomas hit a two-run bomb against the roof of the clubhouse in left field to cap the inning, which was one run shy of matching a club record (1994, 10 v. Jacksonville).
Craig Molldrem (W, 5-3) earned the win in relief of James Russ, who pitched 2 2/3 innings in the start against the Diamond Jaxx, only to succumb to a left ankle injury when backing up a high throw toward home plate in the third inning from center fielder Jai Miller.
Molldrem, Scott Tyler, Carlos Martinez and Scott Mestor combined for the final 6 1/3 innings.
Miller had three hits, including a single and a double, to lead Carolina's 12-hit attack. During this current three-game winning streak, the Mudcats have scored 28 runs. The grand slam by Riggs was Carolina's first since August 27, 2005 when JC Muniz hit one against Mobile's Chris Steinborn.
Carolina remains two games behind first-place Huntsville in the North, with Chattanooga and Tennessee a game behind.
Blake McGinley starts for Carolina on Sunday afternoon at 2:05 PM ET in the series finale against the Diamond Jaxx, who will send Mark Lowe to the hill in a major league rehab start.
Southern League Stories from July 15, 2007
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- Smokies Rally Again, 7-6 - Knoxville Smokies
- Late Rally Dooms BayBears - Mobile BayBears
- Suns Take Series from Barons - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Jaxx Fall in 12th, 5-4 - Jackson Generals
- Mudcats With Fourth Straight in Dramatic Fashion - Carolina Mudcats
- Stars Take Series Finale, 1-0 - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Narron, Bullpen Blank Lookouts - Huntsville Stars
- Suns Homestand Ends Today - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Riggs fuels Mudcats offense - Carolina Mudcats
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