CarL1 Carolina Mudcats

Suns Beat Mudcats, 11-6

Published on May 2, 2003 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release


Jacksonville, FL --- Derek Michaelis doubled twice, driving in three runs as the Jacksonville Suns defeated Carolina for the second straight night, 11-6 at the Grounds of Jacksonville on Friday night.

Despite the loss, Carolina remains 1 1/2 in front of Tennessee, whose six-game winning streak was broken by West Tenn Friday night.

A seven-run third inning knocked Randy Messenger (L, 1-2, 2.1IP, 8H, 7ER, 1W, 1K) out of the game and pulled the Suns (16-12) to within three games of the East-leading Mudcats (19-9).

After Messenger retired the first batter of the third, Suns starter Heath Totten (W, 3-2) singled to begin the damage. Nine straight Suns would reach against Messenger, including one on a wild-pitch strikeout and another on a fielder's choice attempting to cut down a runner scoring. Koyie Hill hit a two-run double to give Jacksonville a 2-1 lead, then Michaelis smacked a ground-rule double to dead-center as part of the big inning.

Steve Kent (ND, 1.2IP, 3H, 3ER, 1W) relieved Messenger to exit the inning, but allowed three runs in the fourth as the Suns went ahead 10-1.

Carolina attempted to rally, scoring two runs against Totten in the fifth, then following a Drew Niles (3-4, 3R, HR, 2RBI) run-scoring single in the sixth, Chip Ambres (2-4, 2R, HR, 2RBI) hit a two-run homer to bring the Mudcats to within 10-6.

Niles hit an opposite-field homer in the second inning to give Carolina a 1-0 lead.

Dontrelle Willis (3-0, 1.27) starts Saturday night in Jacksonville against RH Edwin Jackson (1-1, 2.60) at 7:05 PM ET.

Notes: Following the game, the Florida Marlins promoted LHP Sean Fesh to Triple-A Albuquerque. Fesh pitched 22 scoreless innings over 13 games, and leads all professional pitchers with six victories... Miguel Cabrera was named Southern League hitter of the week for the second consecutive week. Cabrera went 2-4 with his league-leading 13th double on Friday night, raising his league-best average to .418.... The second inning homer by Niles was just the seventh of his career, and his first since the July 29, 2001 against the Erie Seawolves. Originally sliding into third with a triple, manager Tracy Woodson appealed the call that left fielder Nick Alvarez knocked down Niles ball slicing into the corner before it hit the foul pole. Home plate umpire Jamie Roebuck concurred with Woodson, and after brushing off the dirt from his jersey at third base, Niles was awarded home.... RHP Mike Flannery returned to action for Carolina after leaving the team last Sunday to attend the funeral of his grandmother in New Jersey. Flannery pitched a scoreless seventh inning, walking and fanning one.

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Carolina League Stories from May 2, 2003


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