Gebhardt hits first career HR in 4-1 win
ZEBULON, NC - Joey Meneses drove in three, Ryan Gebhardt hit his first professional home run and Raymar Navarro struck out four over five innings in a spot start as the Mudcats defeated the Keys 4-1 at Five County Stadium on Monday afternoon in Zebulon.
Navarro (3-1, 3.91) allowed an unearned run in the fifth and scattered three hits while starting for the first time this season. He worked through the fifth and used 60 pitches (40 strikes) in the series tying victory. The Mudcats (20-29) finished the series at 2-2 against the Keys (25-25) and 3-4 in their seven game homestand.
Meneses drove in the game's first run with a double in the first and brought in two more in the second with a bases loaded, two-out, two-run single to center. Meneses also had a single in the seventh and was 3-for-4 in Monday's victory.
Frederick starter Mitch Horacek allowed three runs and six hits over the first two innings of Monday's game. He worked through bases loaded jams in the first and second innings and had allowed just three runs over the first two before giving up Gebhardt's home run in the fourth.
Gebhardt was 2-for-4 on Monday with two runs and one RBI for the Mudcats. His fourth inning solo home run off Horacek (2-5, 5.55) was the first home run of his professional career. The home run was also the seventh of eight total hits collected by the Mudcats against Horacek in their series finale victory. Joseph Odom also doubled in the fourth and went 1-for-3 while stretching his hitting streak to a career high eight straight games.
Horacek left after the fourth and finished with eight runs allowed over four innings pitched. He walked two, gave up eight hits and struck out four in the loss. Relievers Ivan Hernandez, Max Schuh and Tanner Chleborad followed Horacek and combined to hold the Mudcats to just three hits over four scoreless innings.
Carolina's Taylor Lewis (H, 1) pitched the sixth and seventh innings after Navarro's strong spot start. Lewis struck out two and held visiting Frederick without a hit or run over two innings. Chase Johnson-Mullins (H, 1) then pitched around a 17 minute rain delay while working through a scoreless eighth. Sean McLaughlin (S, 2) allowed a hit, walked one and struck out one in the ninth while earning his second save of the season.
The Mudcats collected 11 hits in Monday's victory, but were just 3-for-10 with runners in scoring position. They stranded eight men on base, including five over the first two innings. The Keys left five men on and were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
Monday's victory gave the Mudcats a series split against the Keys and brought them to a 3-4 finish in the seven game homestand. Carolina is off on Tuesday, May 31 and next play in Winston-Salem against the Dash on Wednesday, June 1. Wednesday's game will be the first between the Mudcats and Dash this season. It will also be the first of seven straight on the road for Carolina.
The Mudcats will return home on Thursday, June 9 for Thirsty Thursday and game one of a short four game home stand. The next home stand will feature postgame fireworks on Friday, June 10 and a Camouflage Hat Giveaway on Saturday, June 11 for Military Appreciation Weekend. The Mudcats will wear military themed jerseys throughout the weekend (beginning on June 10) and each game worn jersey will later be auctioned off for purchase through an online auction.
Full, half and mini plan season tickets as well as group ticket packages and individual game tickets are currently available by contacting a front office representative at (919) 269-CATS (2287) or by visiting www.carolinamudcats.com.
The Carolina Mudcats are the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. First established in 1991, the two-time Southern League Champion Carolina Mudcats are in their 26th consecutive season of baseball at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C.
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