File, Silva and Hairston Lead Mudcats to 5-1 Series Opening Win Versus Fayetteville

ZEBULON, N.C. - Dylan File struck out six while pitching through another six-inning gem, Devin Hairston went 2-for-4 with a two-run double and Eddie Silva scored twice while going 2-for-3 as the Mudcats picked up a 5-1 series opening victory versus Fayetteville on Tuesday night at Five County Stadium.

The Woodpeckers (15-17) scored first in the game after getting a solo home run from Seth Beer in the first, but Carolina (18-13) came back with two runs in the second and three more in the sixth while taking a 5-1 lead in the series opening game.
File (2-3, 3.48) took the 5-1 lead and ran with it as he allowed just the one run on four hits while working through his third quality start of the season. File also struck out six and walked one and brought his strikeout and walk totals to 37 strikeouts against just three walks for the season. He allowed just the one run on Beer's home run and reached 83 pitches (55 strikes) in the victory for the Mudcats.
Carolina's two run second included three straight hits and two runs from their seven, eight and nine hitters in Silva, Nick Roscetti and Hairston. Silva's hit sparked the early rally with a single to left and a hit to right from Roscetti ended up moving Silva to third. Silva, however, reached third with help of a slick swim move slide before then scoring moments later to tie the game on an infield hit from Hairston. Roscetti then scored the go-ahead after coming in from third on an errant pick-off throw to first made by starter Yohan Ramirez. One of five Fayetteville errors in the game.
Ramirez (0-2, 1.80) and the Woodpeckers fell behind 2-1 after the two hit and two run Carolina second. Those two runs (one earned), however, were all that Ramirez allowed in his start as he pitched into the fifth while striking out 12 for Fayetteville. Ramirez pitched through four and 2/3 innings overall and left the game in the fifth with the Mudcats up just 2-1.
Reliever Hunter Martin followed out of the Fayetteville bullpen and wound up allowing three Carolina runs in the sixth after giving up a RBI single to Silva and a two-run double to Hairston. Silva ended up going 2-for-3 with two runs and a RBI in the game for the Mudcats. Hairston also had two hits and drove in three runs while going 2-for-4 with a two-run double. 
Martin pitched through two and 1/3 for Fayetteville and allowed three runs on three hits while also striking out three and walking two. With 12 strikeouts from Ramirez, three from Martin and one more from Willy Collado in the eighth, the Fayetteville pitchers combined for 16 strikeouts in the loss.
Carolina's 5-1 lead was held from the seventh on by relievers Cody Beckman and Rodrigo Benoit as they combined on three scoreless frames to finish the game. Beckman scattered two hits and walked one over an inning and 2/3 scoreless. Benoit then worked the final four outs with two strikeouts to wrap up Carolina's series opening victory.
UP NEXT: Carolina's three game series with Fayetteville will continue on Wednesday morning beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Five County Stadium as the Mudcats once again host Education Day in Zebulon. Carolina will go with starter RHP Nelson Hernandez (4-0, 3.94) in Wednesday's daytime ballgame against the visiting Woodpeckers. The game will air live on the Mudcats Radio Network and online at carolinamudcats.com via TuneIn Radio. It will also stream in live HD video via paid subscription on MiLB.tv.
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