Wilson and Hummel Power Mudcats to 9-7 Victory

WILMINGTON, DE. - Weston Wilson hit a two-run home run in the third, Cooper Hummel later capped a five run Carolina fifth with a three-run homer and Ronnie Gideon had three hits as the Mudcats closed out a series victory in Wilmington with a 9-7 road win at Daniel S. Frawley Stadium on Wednesday.

Wilson went 2-for-5 in the game with his two-run homer in the third that put the Mudcats (8-6) up 3-0. The home run was his first of the season and the same was also true for Hummel who helped lift the Mudcats to an 8-0 lead in the fourth with a three-run shot off reliever Anthony Bender.
It was Ofriedy Gomez who started and took the loss for the Blue Rocks (5-8) after allowing Wilson's home run in the third and giving up three runs (two earned) over two and 2/3 innings. Gomez (0-1, 5.40) worked into the third and was eventually replaced by Bender who went on to allow six runs and seven hits over the next three and 1/3 innings.
Bender was on the mound for Carolina's five run fourth and started the inning with back-to-back outs, before giving up consecutive two-out hits to Tucker Neuhaus, Gideon, Clint Coulter, Wilson and Hummel. That last hit from Hummel was his three-run home run that put the Mudcats 8-0 in the game. Gideon went 3-for-4 in the game, Coulter was 1-for-5 with a RBI, Ryan Aguilar was 1-for-4 with a run scoring double and Carlos Belonis was 1-for-4 with a RBI as well.
Nathan Kirby started for the Mudcats and worked through three scoreless frames with two strikeouts (including a strikeout with the bases loaded to end the third) before giving way to Victor Diaz in the fourth. Diaz (2-0, 6.75) earned the win after holding the Blue Rocks to three runs on three hits over the next four and 2/3 innings. He gave up a two-run home run to Kort Peterson in the fifth and one more run in the eighth before leaving the game. Diaz also walked two and struck out four while earning his second win of the season. 
Carolina led 9-3 as they entered the last of the ninth, but Wilmington went on to rally for four runs while cutting the lead down to 9-7. Cody Beckman originally worked the end of the eighth in place of Diaz and pitched part of the ninth before leaving the game with the bases loaded and after walking in a run. 
Chase Williams followed and went on to allow run scoring hits to Angelo Castellano and Emmanuel Rivera as the Blue Rocks pulled within two at 9-7. Williams (S, 2) allowed all three inherited runners to score, but eventually finished the game by getting Xavier Fernández to pop out to end the game. The save was the second straight for Williams and was also the second consecutive game where he had to enter in the ninth with runners on base.
Carolina took games two and three of the three game series in Wilmington while closing out the road trip at 3-4. The Mudcats next play back at home on Thursday night as they begin a seven game home stand with game one of four versus the Buies Creek Astros. Thursday's first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., with gates opening at 6:00 p.m. LHP Cam Roegner (1-0, 0.00) has the home stand opening start for the Mudcats on Thursday night.
The game will air on the Mudcats Radio Network, The Big Dawg 98.5 FM and online at carolinamudcats.com via TuneIn Radio. It will also stream via live video on MiLB.tv.
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