Comeback bid falls short in 8-7 loss to Buies Creek

ZEBULON, N.C. - Isan Díaz extended his hitting streak to 11 straight games with a three-run home run in the sixth and Corey Ray blasted a three-run double in the eighth, but the Mudcats fell a run shy in their comeback bid while losing 8-7 to the Astros on Monday night at Five County Stadium.

Carolina (10-14) trailed 5-0 in the sixth before Diaz blasted his three-run shot to right off reliever Justin Ferrell. The home run was his fourth of the season and it cut the Buies Creek (17-8) lead to 5-3.
Both sides then traded runs in the seventh (with Luis Aviles Jr. hitting a solo home run for the Mudcats), but the Astros rallied for two runs off reliever Colton Cross in the eighth and took an 8-4 lead. 
Ray then brought the Mudcats within one of the lead with a two-out, bases loaded, three-run double in the eighth. Ray was 2-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs for the Mudcats.
Trailing 8-7, the Mudcats later started the ninth with a lead off single from Diaz, but went on to leave him and Trent Clark on base after Aviles grounded out to end the game.
Ralph Garza (2.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO) worked the final two innings for the Astros and was able to hold off the Mudcats long enough to finish the game. Sebastian Kessay (0.2 IP, 1 SO) also helped out of the pen after retiring both Diaz and Lucas Erceg with the bases loaded in the seventh. 
Astros' starter Alex Winkelman earned the win. He pitched through five scoreless and yielded just two hits for Buies Creek. Winkelman (1-0, 2.25) left with a 3-0 lead after the fifth, but Ferrell allowed the Mudcats to rally for four runs over the next inning and a third to start their comeback bid. Ferrell gave up four runs (three earned) on six hits and struck out two in Monday's game.
Cody Ponce (2-2, 4.66) started for the Mudcats and worked through five and 1/3 innings with five runs allowed on nine hits. He also walked two (both to Dexture McCall), struck out four and gave up two home runs.
Josh Martin had the first of the two home runs hit off Ponce in Monday's game. His was a solo blast to left that gave the Astros a 3-0 lead. The second home run was a two-run shot from Pat Porter in the sixth that put Buies Creek up 5-0.
Cross followed Ponce in the sixth and allowed three runs and three hits. He also walked four, but did strand an inherited runner on base in the sixth. Scott Grist took over for Cross in the eighth and allowed one of two inherited runners to score on a wild pitch. Grist struck out four, gave up just one hit and walked one in his two inning appearance.
NOTES: Jake Gatewood was 1-for-4 with a double and ran his hitting streak to 11 consecutive games… The Mudcats allowed a season high three stolen bases in the loss… Corey Ray doubled twice and is now tied for the third most in the Carolina League.
UP NEXT: The Mudcats and Astros will continue their three game series on Tuesday night with game two scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.. Tuesday's game is the second of a seven game home stand and will begin at 7:00 p.m.. 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 live online via high definition video at MiLB.tv. Tickets are available by calling (919) 269-CATS (2287) and by visiting carolinamudcats.com/tickets.
# # #