Mudcats Victorious on Late Homerun
ZEBULON, N.C. - Gaby Sanchez belted a go-ahead, solo homerun in the eighth inning, giving the Carolina Mudcats (28-20) the edge in a 3-2 final over the Jacksonville Suns (22-26) in front of 5,871 Friday night at Five County Stadium.
The Mudcats started the scoring in the second inning against Suns starter James McDonald. After Manuel Mayorson was hit by a pitch and pitcher Daniel Barone singled with two out, Marlins top prospect Cameron Maybin tripled off the right field wall to drive home both runners for an early 2-0 lead.
Jacksonville matched Carolina in the fourth inning off of Mudcats starter Daniel Barone. Jamie Hoffmann improved his hitting streak to 14 consecutive games with a singled that scored Mark Bellhorn, cutting the lead to 2-1. Rene Rivera next doubled home Russell Mitchell to tie the game 2-2.
Hoffmann's 14 game streak is the longest active streak in the Southern League, and is tied for the second longest in the Southern League during 2008 (Mat Gamel, HVL, 16).
Carolina took the lead for good in the eighth inning off of Suns reliever Danny Muegge as Gaby Sanchez hit his third homerun of the season, a solo blast over the leftfield wall, opening a 3-2 Mudcats lead. The homerun was the only baserunner against Muegge in three innings of relief work.
Carolina reliever Carlos Martinez (1-0) picked up the win while Jacksonville reliever Danny Muegge (0-2) fell in the loss. Carolina's Chris Mobley (5) saved the game by striking out the side in the ninth inning.
Suns LH Marlon Arias (4-2, 3.86) will face Mudcats RH Brett Sinkbeil (2-5, 5.57) tonight at 6:15 ET at Five County Stadium in the fourth game of the series. Radio coverage is available on WFXJ-AM 930 The Fox or online at jaxsuns.com.
The Mudcats started the scoring in the second inning against Suns starter James McDonald. After Manuel Mayorson was hit by a pitch and pitcher Daniel Barone singled with two out, Marlins top prospect Cameron Maybin tripled off the right field wall to drive home both runners for an early 2-0 lead.
Jacksonville matched Carolina in the fourth inning off of Mudcats starter Daniel Barone. Jamie Hoffmann improved his hitting streak to 14 consecutive games with a singled that scored Mark Bellhorn, cutting the lead to 2-1. Rene Rivera next doubled home Russell Mitchell to tie the game 2-2.
Hoffmann's 14 game streak is the longest active streak in the Southern League, and is tied for the second longest in the Southern League during 2008 (Mat Gamel, HVL, 16).
Carolina took the lead for good in the eighth inning off of Suns reliever Danny Muegge as Gaby Sanchez hit his third homerun of the season, a solo blast over the leftfield wall, opening a 3-2 Mudcats lead. The homerun was the only baserunner against Muegge in three innings of relief work.
Carolina reliever Carlos Martinez (1-0) picked up the win while Jacksonville reliever Danny Muegge (0-2) fell in the loss. Carolina's Chris Mobley (5) saved the game by striking out the side in the ninth inning.
Suns LH Marlon Arias (4-2, 3.86) will face Mudcats RH Brett Sinkbeil (2-5, 5.57) tonight at 6:15 ET at Five County Stadium in the fourth game of the series. Radio coverage is available on WFXJ-AM 930 The Fox or online at jaxsuns.com.