Mudcats Lose Late Lead While Dropping Fifth Straight

Carolina 3 @ Kannapolis 5

July 10, 2022 | Venue : Atrium Health Ballpark | First pitch : 1:35 PM | Att : 1,544 | T : 1:57 (:35 delay)

CAR: 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3 6 0

KAN: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 x 5 8 1

WP: Jesus Valles (3 - 0) LP: Fernando Olguin (1 - 2)

KANNAPOLIS – Hedbert Perez and Oswal Leones had consecutive run-scoring hits in the seventh, and Alexander Cornielle turned his first career quality start while pitching through six scoreless innings, but the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers scored five runs in the eighth while defeating the Carolina Mudcats for the fifth straight game 5-3 on Sunday afternoon at Atrium Health Ballpark.

The game was scoreless through the seventh before the Mudcats (6-9, 40-41) broke through in the seventh with a three-run rally that included a two-run double from Perez and a RBI single from Leones. The resulting 3-0 lead, however, was lost in the very next inning as the Cannon Ballers (11-4, 37-44) answered right back with five runs in the eighth off relievers Fernando Olguin and Miguel Guerrero. Those five runs were all scored with two-outs in the eighth and would hold through the ninth as Kannapolis won its fifth straight game 5-3.

The game-deciding eighth began with Olguin (1-2) getting two quick outs before then allowing four straight hits, including a RBI single to Colby Smelley and a RBI double to DJ Gladney. Guerrero took over out of the bullpen for the Mudcats and would go on to allow a go-ahead, three-run home run to Andy Atwood. Guerrero inherited two runners when he entered the game and would allow both to score. He also inherited three runners in the previous game and allowed all of those runners to score then as well.

In all, Olguin allowed four runs and four hits over an inning and 2/3 while taking the loss. Guerrero allowed gave up the Atwood home run and finished with a run and one hit allowed while recording the last out in the eighth.

Cornielle started for the Mudcats and turned in his first career quality start while pitching through a career-high six innings. Cornielle scattered three hits and struck out five in his stellar start but ended up without a decision.

Jared Kelley started for Kannapolis and also turned in a scoreless effort as he worked through five innings without allowing a run. The first runs of the game were allowed in by reliever Jesus Valles, but he would also finish the game and ended up getting the victory. Valles (3-0) allowed the Perez two-run double and the Leones RBI single in the seventh.

The loss was Carolina’s fifth straight, giving the Cannon Ballers a 5-1 series victory over the Mudcats. Carolina is off on Monday, July 11, but will return to action at home beginning on Tuesday, July 12, with the opener of a six-game homestand versus the Delmarva Shorebirds.

HOME RUNS:

Kannapolis: Atwood (3, 8th inning off Guerrero, 2 on, 2 out).

TOP PERFORMERS - BATTERS:

Perez, CF (Carolina): 2-for-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI

Leones, LF (Carolina): 1-for-3, 0 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 1 RBI

Chourio, DH (Carolina): 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI

Atwood, 2B (Kannapolis): 2-for-3, 1 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBI

Sanchez, W, SS (Kannapolis): 2-for-4, 1 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI

Smelley, DH (Kannapolis): 2-for-4, 1 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 1 RBI

Gladney, 1B (Kannapolis): 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 1 RBI

TOP PERFORMERS - PITCHERS:

Cornielle (Carolina): 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO

Kelley (Kannapolis): 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO

Valles (W, 3-0) (Kannapolis): 4 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO

SCORING PLAYS:

Mudcats 7th (Mudcats 3, Cannon Ballers 0) -- Jeferson Quero singles to left field. Jackson Chourio doubles to shallow left field, Jeferson Quero to 3rd. Hedbert Perez doubles down the right-field line, Jeferson Quero scores; Jackson Chourio scores. Jean Carmona grounds out to DJ Gladney, Hedbert Perez to 3rd. Oswal Leones singles to center field, Hedbert Perez scores. Jesus Chirinos grounds into double play, Wes Kath to Andy Atwood to DJ Gladney, Oswal Leones out at 2nd, Jesus Chirinos out at 1st.

(3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB)

Cannon Ballers 8th (Cannon Ballers 5, Mudcats 3) -- Misael Gonzalez ground bunts out, Jesus Chirinos to Fernando Olguin. Nick Thornquist strikes out swinging. Wilber Sanchez singles to right-center field. Wes Kath singles to left-center field, Wilber Sanchez to 3rd. Colby Smelley singles through the hole at second base, Wilber Sanchez scores; Wes Kath to 2nd. DJ Gladney doubles to left field, Wes Kath scores; Colby Smelley to 3rd. Pitcher Change: Miguel Guerrero replaces Fernando Olguin. Andy Atwood hits a home run to left field on a 1-1 pitch, Colby Smelley scores; DJ Gladney scores. Benyamin Bailey grounds out, Jean Carmona to Jesus Chirinos.

(5 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB)