CarL1 Carolina Mudcats

Trio of Mudcats Toss Shutout

Published on May 8, 2003 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release


Orlando, FL -- Three Carolina pitchers combined on a four-hitter leading the shorthanded Mudcats to a 5-0 win over the Orlando Rays on Thursday night at Cracker Jack Stadium.

Donnie Bridges (ND, 4IP, 1H, 0R, 1W, 6K) worked four scoreless innings in a spot start, with Jose Cueto (W, 1-0, 3IP, 3H, 0R, 0W, 4K) earning his first Mudcats win. Ryan Baker (ND, 2IP, 0H, 0R, 3K) worked the final two frames in Carolina's fourth shutout of the season.

The Mudcats, who improved to 3-4 on their 15-day, 12-game road trip, increased their Eastern Division lead to two full games over the Tennessee Smokies, who lost Thursday night.

Drew Niles (3-4, R, 2B, 3RBI) collected three hits and three RBI for the Mudcats (22-11). Niles sliced a double to left in the second inning to score Chris Aguila (2-4, 2R, RBI) from first base for a 1-0 lead. Then as part of a four-run sixth inning, Niles drilled a two-run single to center as Carolina moved ahead 5-0.

Brian Stokes (L, 1-4), who entered the game with the Southern League's sixth-best ERA of 1.72, allowed five earned runs over 5 2/3 innings for the loss.

Bridges, a former #1 prospect in the Montreal organization, fanned six in his first start of the season, including five on curveballs.

Miguel Cabrera singled as part of the two-out rally in the sixth to stretch his hitting streak to 15 games, the longest by a Mudcat this season.

The three Carolina pitchers combined to fan 13 Rays batters against only one walk.

In the series finale, a pair of 40-man roster pitchers will oppose with Ryan Snare (2-0, 3.89) starting for the Mudcats against Rays RH Doug Waechter (2-2, 2.57) Friday night at 7:05 PM ET.

Notes: Bridges will make another start for the Mudcats on Tuesday night against the Mobile BayBears. Bridges left after four innings due to a pitch-limit of 65. Bridges threw 55 in his start... Cueto has earned a win and a save in his first three appearances for Carolina. Cueto permitted the first two Rays to reach in both the sixth and seventh innings, but did not allow a run... Carolina's longest all-time hitting streak is 19, set in 2000 by Elvis Pena, then matched in 2001 by Kevin Burford... Following Thursday night's game, the Mudcats placed 1B Pat Magness on the disabled list for the second time this season with an ailing right wrist, and will activate RHP Marty McLeary before Friday's game. McCleary will start Saturday's opener in Mobile... C Ryan Jorgensen caught his ninth consecutive game Thursday night. C Brandon Harper continues to be bothered by a sprained left ankle suffered on April 27 in a collision at home plate.

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Carolina League Stories from May 8, 2003


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