Feliciano Homers in Series Opening 6-4 Loss to Down East

ZEBULON, N.C. - Mario Feliciano went 2-for-4 with a game-tying home run and Joantgel Segovia went 2-for-3 with a triple in his Mudcats debut, but Down East's Franklin Rollin broke a 4-4 tie in the fifth with a go-ahead homer as the Wood Ducks defeated the Mudcats 6-4 on Tuesday night at Five County Stadium.

The Wood Ducks (31-26) opened Tuesday's series opener with a three run first, but the Mudcats (27-30) answered back with two runs of their own in their half of the first to cut the lead to 3-2. Down East later added a run in the third to take a 4-2 lead, but Feliciano answered back with a two-run home run to tie the game at 4-4.
Feliciano's home run was his first of the season and was a two-run, opposite field blast that came against Down East starter Jonathan Hernández. It was also his second of two hits in the game as Feliciano went 2-for-4 with three RBI in his home debut with the Mudcats. 
Tweet from @CarolinaMudcats: Mario Feliciano steps to the dish with two down in the bottom of the fifth. He's 2-for-2 so far tonight with an RBI single and this two-run shot in the third. #MudcatsFUNWATCH: pic.twitter.com/krQrERxKPo
Hernandez allowed two runs and four hits in the first and two runs on two hits in the second before leaving the game after just three innings pitched. He gave up seven hits overall and allowed four earned runs while also striking out four in what was his shortest start of the season.
Cam Roegner (6-3, 1.85) started for Carolina and had a similar beginning to his start after allowing three runs and five hits in the Down East first inning. Roegner, however, ended up allowing just two other runs and three more hits the rest of the way while working through the sixth. He also struck out two, walked one and allowed a home run while taking his second straight loss. 
The home run was a go-ahead blast from Rollin in the fifth and was just the second home run allowed by Roegner this year. Rollin went 1-for-3 in the road win for the Wood Ducks, with his lone hit being a solo home run that broke a 4-4 tie in the fifth. 
Chuck Leblanc led the way for the Wood Ducks offensively as he finished the game 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI. His first run scoring double came during Down East's three run and five hit first. The first also features run scoring hits from Alex Kowalczyk and Andretty Cordero. Anderon Tejeda also had a multi-hit game as he went 2-for-3 with two runs for Down East.
Carolina quickly rallied back with run scoring hits from Feliciano and Luis Aviles Jr. Jr. in their half of the first while pulling within one at 3-2. Leblanc then struck again with a two-out RBI single in the third to left Down East into a 4-2 lead, but Feliciano then came through with his two-run homer to right to tie the game. Rollin then broke the tie with his home run and the final Down East run came in the seventh when Rollin drove in his third run of the game with a sacrifice fly.
Anthony Gose eared the victory for the Wood Ducks after holding Carolina scoreless in the fourth. Gose (1-0, 1.35) worked through just one inning in Tuesday's series opening victory for the Woodies. Gose was followed by relievers Michael Matuella (1.0 IP, 0 R, 0 H), Cole Wiper (3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 SO) and C.D. Pelham (S, 1.0 IP, 1 SO). Pelham worked through a three up and three down ninth while earning his 10th save of the season.
Carolina used relievers Alec Kenilvort and Conor Harber in the game. Kenilvort worked through two innings and ended up allowing a run in the seventh before striking out the side in the eighth. Harber later pitched a scoreless ninth while retiring the Wood Ducks in order.
The loss was Carolina's fourth straight and dropped them to 5.5 games back of first in the first half standings. The loss also dropped them into last place in the Southern Division standings as the Myrtle Beach Pelicans won in Buies Creek earlier in the night.
Carolina trails the in the series 1-0, but will look to even the series with a win on Wednesday night at Five County Stadium. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and will feature Marcos Diplan (2-2, 3.16) getting the start for Carolina. The game will air on the Mudcats Radio Network, the Big Dawg 98.5 FM and via TuneIn Radio at carolinamudcats.com. It will also stream via live video on MiLB.tv.
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