Mudcats rally late for 6-4 finale victory

ZEBULON, NC - Omar Obregon was 3-for-5, Braxton Davidson scored twice and Sal Giardina extended his hitting streak to 11 straight games as the Mudcats rallied back late for a 6-4 home win against the Keys at Five County Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

The Mudcats (39-56, 10-15) trailed 4-2 before scoring once in the fifth and three times in the seventh while coming back to win Tuesday's series finale against the visiting Keys (50-45, 14-11). 

Carlos Portuondo (1-0, 5.63) (2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0BB, 0 SO) worked through two perfect innings over the seventh and eighth while earning his first win as a professional. Chad Sobotka (1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO) later pitched the ninth and scattered two hits while earning his first save.

Frederick's Ryan Meisinger (BS, 2) (1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB) gave up three hits and three runs in the seventh and suffered the loss for the Keys. Carolina scored three times and had three hits in the seventh and managed to finish the series with a 2-2 split with Tuesday's victory.

Obregon started the three run seventh with a single to right and Davidson joined him on the bases moments later on a walk. Isaias Tejeda then drove in Obregon with a double to deep right center and the Mudcats tied it up at 4-4. A sacrifice fly later in the frame by Jose Fernandez gave the Mudcats the lead and Jordan Edgerton capped the rally with a RBI single to right.

Ryan Clark started for the Mudcats and worked through the sixth with four runs, three walks and four hits allowed. He also struck out five and pitched through the sixth for the tenth time this season. Clark lost a 2-1 lead in the fourth after allowing the tying run in and later giving up a two-run home run to Steve Wilkerson in the fifth.

The Keys led 6-3 in the fifth until Davidson doubled and scored on consecutive wild pitches from starter David Richardson. Richardson pitched into the fifth and allowed three runs on six hits and two walks. He also struck out six and did not earn a decision.

Obregon's three hits were scattered over the first, third and seventh innings. His single in the third scored a run and was followed by a RBI single by Giardina later in the same inning. Giardina was 1-for-4 and has hit safely in a career 11 straight games. 

Both third inning hits came with runners in scoring position and Carolina finished 4-for-10 with runners at second or third in the home stand finale victory.

The Mudcats are off on Wednesday and next play on Thursday in Lynchburg at City Stadium. 

Carolina Mudcats games air over the radio on The Big Dawg 98.5 FM and are streamed online at www.carolinamudcats.com via TuneIn Radio and the TuneIn Radio app. All home games are additionally streamed live in high definition video and live game audio via MiLB.tv.

Tickets to all Carolina Mudcats games 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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