Mudcats drop both games of doubleheader
ZEBULON, NC - The Mudcats dropped both games of a series opening doubleheader 2-1 and 3-2 against the visiting Wilmington Blue Rocks on Thursday night at Five County Stadium. Joseph Odom doubled and scored a run in the first game and hit a solo home run in the second while going 2-for-5 between both games.
The Blue Rocks (25-40) scored first and never trailed while taking both games of Thursday's doubleheader. They also extended Carolina's losing streak to five straight games. The Mudcats (27-39) managed to work their way into three separate ties across both games, but never led in the home stand opening twin bill.
Odom had a hit in each game including a double in game on and a double in game two. His home run in game two was his team best and career best eighth of the season. Odom has also now hit safely in 21 of his last 24 games.
Brandon Downes started game one with a solo home run in the second to give the Blue Rocks their first lead of the day against Raymar Navarro and the Mudcats. Odom later answered back with a double and a run in the fourth, but the Blue Rocks scored again on a two-out RBI single by Robert Pehl and eventually won 2-1.
Navarro (4-2, 4.26) started for the Mudcats in game one and allowed both runs while suffering his first loss as a starter this season. He walked three, struck out two and allowed two runs on four hits over a season high six innings in the loss. Taylor Lewis followed Navarro for the seventh and struck out two while allowing one hit in his appearance.
Corey Ray worked through five innings for the Blue Rocks in game one and earned his second victory after allowing just one run and two hits over his start. Ray (2-2, 3.81) held the Mudcats without a hit over the first three innings in game one before allowing Odom's double in the fourth. He also let loose of two wild pitches in the frame; the second wild pitch allowed Odom to score from third to tie the game. Luis Rico (S, 2) later earned the save after working through two scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
Colin Rodgers started game two and allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits over four innings for the Blue Rocks. Jake Kalish followed him and pitched the final three frames and kept the Mudcats scoreless. Kalish (2-0, 0.00) allowed a hit and stuck out five while earning the win.
Zach Quintana, Sean McLaughlin and Chase Johnson-Mullins pitched in game two for the Mudcats. They combined to allow one run each and three total on 11 hits in the loss.
Quintana started and allowed a run on four hits while striking out three in three innings. McLaughlin allowed an unearned run, gave up four hits and struck out one over the four and fifth. Johnson-Mullins (0-3, 2.76) allowed the go-ahead run in the sixth and gave up three hits over two innings and took the loss.
Humberto Arteaga singled and scored a run in the first and was 2-for-4 in the game two Wilmington victory. Robert Pehl doubled to start the fourth and later scored on an error by Erison Mendez and was 2-for-3 for the Blue Rocks. Catcher Nick Dini singled behind first to start the sixth and later scored the eventual game winning run on a two-out single to center by Wander Franco against Johnson-Mullins.
The Mudcats managed to tie up game two at 1-1 and 2-2, but failed to answer the sixth inning run while falling 3-2. Odom then hit his game tying home run in the first to make it 1-1 and Stephen Gaylor walked with the bags full in the fourth to tie it up at 2-2.
The six game series continues on Friday night with Friday Night Fireworks presented by Flowers Plantation and a 7:00 p.m. start time. Matt Withrow (4-4, 3.88) will start for the Mudcats against Apex, NC native Matt Tenuta (3-4, 5.90) going for the Blue Rocks.
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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