SL1 Carolina Mudcats

Shelby's Slam Lifts Barons over Mudcats

Published on August 23, 2010 under Southern League (SL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release


ZEBULON, NC - John Shelby bolted a grand slam over the left field wall in the top of the sixth inning as the Birmingham Barons took game one of a three game series from the Carolina Mudcats 9-5 at Five County Stadium on Monday night.

In the sixth inning, Carolina (24-32) went to the bullpen for the first time after Jordan Hotchkiss went five innings in his Double A debut. Brad Boxberger was the first man out of the pen for the Mudcats and after a strikeout began the inning, Boxberger permitted back to back singles and walked CJ Retherford to load the bases for Shelby, who on a one ball, two strike count, lined the pitch over the left field wall for a grand slam and give the Barons a 9-5 lead that they did not relinquish.

Birmingham (23-33) struck first in the top of the second off Hotchkiss. With two outs, Cole Armstrong singled just ahead of Salvador Sanchez who homered to left and gave the Barons a 2-0 lead, which did not last long. Carolina answered with a run in the bottom half as Luis Terrero homered over the right field wall and pull the Mudcats to within a run.

Carolina took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning off Barons starter Justin Edwards. Sean Henry laid down a bunt that rolled down the third base line and stayed fair for Henry who then swiped both second and third base and scored on Terrero's second RBI of the night, this time a sacrifice fly to right. The Mudcats added another run after Jake Kahaulelio singled to right to bring home Denis Phipps who walked earlier in the inning.

Birmingham answered right back in the top of the fifth inning to retake the lead. With one out, Retherford singled and was sacrificed to second base where he was doubled home by Tyler Kuhn. The inning was allowed to continued when Carlos Mendez couldn't field a ball at first and allowed Jim Gallagher to cap the scoring with a two-run single giving the Barons a 5-3 lead.

Once again, the Mudcats battled back and tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning when the first two hitters reached base against Edwards who then retired the next two hitters he faced, but Sean Henry made him pay as he looped a two-run single to left to tie the game.

After the Barons took the lead with the Shelby grand slam, Carolina had a chance to tie the game in the seventh inning when they loaded the bases, but Kyle Bellamy (W 2-2) got Terrero to bounce out to third and end the threat. Carolina couldn't mount anymore offense against the Baron bullpen and they dropped game one of the series 9-5.

The series continues tomorrow at 7:15 when Travis Webb (6-8, 5.13) goes for Carolina and Matt Long (6-8, 5.05) takes the ball for Birmingham.

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Southern League Stories from August 23, 2010


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