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Janas Nearly Perfect as Mudcats Win Again

The Mudcats extended their win streak to eight straight games
May 6, 2015

ZEBULON, NC - Steve Janas improved to 4-0 with a seven inning complete game shutout victory against the Hillcats at Five County Stadium in game one of a doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon. Janas struck out four and lost a perfect game In the seventh as the Mudcats defeated the Hillcats 6-0 in the first game. The Mudcats also took game two of the twin bill 8-3 and have won eight straight games.

Janas retired 12 batters faced via groundout, two on flyouts and struck out the remaining four batters faced. Clint Frazier of the visiting Hillcats (9-18) collected the only hit of the game with a groundball past second baseman Eric Garcia in the seventh. Janas retired 19 straight batters in consecutive order before Frazier's hit to right.

The Mudcats (15-10) provided their starter with plenty of early run support after scoring twice in the first and three times in the second. Dustin Peterson and Joey Meneses both had run scoring hits in the first off Lynchburg starter Mike Rayl. Rayl (0-2, 8.36) allowed three hits and two runs in the first. He also gave up three runs and three hits in the second of game one. Meneses drove in two in the second and was 2-for-3 with three RBI in the 6-0 game one victory. Sean Godfrey drove in the final run in the fourth with a solo home run to left off reliever Nick Pasquale.

The Mudcats followed up the 6-0 game one victory with an eight run and 11 hit performance in game two. Carolina received doubles from Meneses, Garcia, Joe Odom and Johan Camargo in game two. Garcia had two doubles and was 3-for-4 with a run and one RBI in game two.

Five of Carolina's eight runs in the second game came in the fourth after they collected six hits off Lynchburg game two starter D.J. Brown. Peterson started the fourth inning rally with a single to right and Carlos Franco kept it going with a walk. Meneses then helped to bring in two runs as Luigi Rodriguez misplayed his groundball hit to left in the outfield. Both Peterson and Franco scored on the hit and the Mudcats took a 2-0 lead. They added another on a throwing error later in the inning by the pitcher Brown and on a RBI double from Odom. Odom's double was his fourth double and fourth hit of the season.

Carolina led 5-0 after five in game two, but the Hillcats managed to get three runs in the sixth against reliever Britt Robertshaw to make it a two run game. Robertshaw allowed a two run home run to Frazier in the sixth and a triple to Paul Hendrix. Robertshaw left the sixth with a runner on base, two outs and three runs already in.

Closer Tyler Jones followed Robertshaw in the sixth and struck out Mike Papi to end the inning. Jones stayed in for the seventh and faced five batters while finishing the game. He struck out the first two and gave up consecutive singles before ending the game with strikeout of Hendrix.

Jones (S, 6) kept the Hillcats scoreless over the final inning and a 1/3 and earned his league leading sixth save of the season.

The Mudcats answered the late Hillcats come back with a three run sixth in support of Jones. Lien led off the inning with a home run against Casey Weathers and Garcia added on a RBI double in the inning. Weathers allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits in the sixth.

Matt Marksberry earned the game two win after holding the Hillcats scoreless over the fourth and fifth. Marksberry (2-0, 4.73) struck out four and did not allow a hit in his two inning appearance. Blair Walters started for Carolina in game two and held the Hillcats scoreless over three innings. He allowed three hits and struck out two.

The series continues on Thursday night with the first pitch scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Five County Stadium. The Mudcats will be looking for their ninth straight win in game four of the series. RHP Tyler Brosius (1-1, 4.29) will start for Carolina in the home stand finale. The Hillcats will counter with RHP Michael Peoples (1-2, 5.68). Lynchburg has lost eight straight games.

All games air on the Mudcats Radio Network, The Big Dawg 98.5 FM, Rock City 99.3 and Sports 1490 AM. Games are also streamed online at www.carolinamudcats.com via TuneIn Radio and the TuneIn Radio app. TuneIn Radio is the official digital audio partner of MiLB.com.

Individual tickets are now available online at www.carolinamudcats.com, by calling (919) 269-2287 and by visiting the Five County Stadium box office.

Premium Field Level seats are $12.00, Box Seats are $10.00 and Cattail Skybox Seats are $15.00. Full season ticket packages, half season ticket packages, group tickets and the "Muddy Unreal Deal" plan are also currently available for purchase.

The Carolina Mudcats are the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. The 2015 "Braves New World" season is the first for the Mudcats as an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and their fourth straight in the historic Carolina League. First established in 1991, the Carolina Mudcats are in their 25th straight season of baseball at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C. Fans can purchase tickets or find more information by calling (919) 269-2287 or by visiting www.carolinamudcats.com.

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