Eight Game Skid Ends as Lutz and McInerney Combine on Eight Hits

ZEBULON, N.C. - Noah Zavolas pitched through six scoreless frames with eight strikeouts, Tristen Lutz recorded his first career four-hit game while going 4-for-5 with a home run, Pat McInerney also had four hits while going 4-for-4 and Eddie Silva hit a three-run home run as the Carolina Micro Brews snapped an eight game losing streak with a 7-0 victory over the Kinston Collard Greens in Zebulon.

The Mudcats (17-24, 56-54), playing as the Carolina Micro Brews, scored first in Thursday's finale after Payton Henry drove in Mario Feliciano with a two-out RBI single in the third against starter John King who had the start for the Kinston Collard Greens aka Wood Ducks (25-15, 75-35). Carolina then went up 2-0 in the sixth after Zach Clark brought in McInerney with a two-out single to short off reliever Scott Engler. That 2-0 lead was short-lived, however, as the Micro Brews went on to score five times in the seventh while taking a 7-0 lead on Lutz's two-run home run and Silva's three-run blast off Francisco Villegas.
All of Carolina's run production came in support of another quality outing from Zavolas (W, 6-5, 2.93) who started and earned the win. Zavolas pitched through six scoreless frames, totaled eight strikeouts, walked one and scattered three hits in what was his 11th quality start of the year. He allowed a double in the first to Sam Huff, but went on to retire 11 straight thereafter before giving up a hit in the fifth. Zavolas reached 97 pitches (63 strikes) in his start and dropped his season earned run to 2.93 (second in the Carolina League). 
Lutz and McInerney both had four hits in the game for the Micro Brews as Lutz went 4-for-5 and McInerney was 4-for-4 with two doubles. The four-hit game was Lutz's first as a pro, while McInerney matched a career high with his four-hit night. 
Lutz, meanwhile, set his new career high for hits in a game in the seventh when his fourth and final hit also counted as his 10th homer of the season. Silva's three-run blast later in the seventh was his ninth homer of the season.
Feliciano also had a multi-hit game as he went 2-for-4 with two runs for the Micro Brews. Henry was 1-for-4 with another two-out RBI; bringing his season total to 60 RBI on the year with 32 of those RBI coming in two-out situations.
King (L, 2-3, 2.05) took the loss for the Collard Greens after allowing one run on seven hits over four innings pitched. King also walked three and struck out four while reaching 86 pitches (52 strikes). Engler struck out three while working the fifth and sixth, but also gave up a run and three hits in his two innings. Villegas came out for the seventh and went on to walk three while also two home runs and five runs total in his first inning of work. He also tossed a scoreless eighth and struck out two in his appearance. 
Relievers Robbie Hitt and Anthony Bender pitched the seventh through the ninth for the Micro Brews and combined to hold the Collard Greens scoreless while also totaling three strikeouts.
In all Carolina totaled seven runs on 13 hits in the game. Those seven runs were the club's most scored in a game since 7/13 when they lost 8-7 on the road in Wilmington. Their 13 hits, meanwhile, were the club's most since collecting 12 hits in a 5-4 victory versus the Blue Rocks at Five County Stadium on 7/21.
Carolina finished the series and short three-game home stand at just 1-2, but ended up snapping their season worst eight game losing streak with Thursday's victory. The Mudcats will next play on Friday night in Winston-Salem when they take on the Dash in game one of a three game series at BB&T Ballpark. RHP Christian Taugner (4-7, 5.04) will start for Carolina on Friday night and in what will be the first of a six game, seven day, road trip for the Mudcats.
The game will air live on the Mudcats Radio Network, The Big Dawg 98.5 FM and online at carolinamudcats.com via TuneIn Radio. The game will also stream live in full high-definition video on MiLB.tv via Minor League Baseball's subscription service.
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