Late Rally Falls Short in 6-4 Loss to Blue Rocks

ZEBULON, N.C. - Max McDowell had go-ahead two-run triple in the seventh, but the Mudcats once again failed to hold a late lead as the Blue Rocks rallied back with two in the eighth and one in the ninth en route to a series tying 6-4 victory on Friday night at Five County Stadium.

The Mudcats (15-19) fell behind early after the Blue Rocks (15-19) rallied for three runs over the first two innings against starter Nathan Kirby while taking a 3-0 lead. Carolina later came back with two in the third to get within one and then took a 4-3 lead when McDowell delivered his run scoring triple with two outs in the seventh. McDowell went 2-for-5 with two RBI in the loss for the Mudcats.
Carolina's 4-3 lead was short-lived though as the Blue Rocks answered right back with two runs in the eighth against relievers Victor Diaz, Daniel Brown and Luke Barker. They also added one more run in the ninth off Barker while winning the game 6-4.
The Wilmington eighth began with Diaz (2-1, 7.36) giving up a leadoff single to Angelo Castellano and then walking Kahlil Lee. He then got Emmanuel Rivera to hit into a force before being replaced by Brown with runners at the corners. 
Brown (BS, 1) ended up facing just two batters before also leaving the game. He first gave up a game-tying single to Kort Peterson before then seeing Meibrys Viloria reach on a fielder's choice to load the bases. 
Carolina then turned to Barker who first started with a strikeout of Chase Vallot before walking Chris DeVito with the bags full to allow the Blue Rocks to take a 5-4 lead. He then came back for the ninth and gave up a run scoring double to Lee, which put Wilmington up 6-4.
Diaz suffered the loss, but did so despite turning in his longest outing of the season. Diaz pitched through five and 1/3 innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits. He also walked one and struck out two after originally entering the game back in the third in place of starter Kirby.
Brown did not record an out and allowed one of two inherited runners to score while also giving up one hit. Barker inherited three and allowed one to score while pitching through an inning and 2/3 with a run, two hits and three strikeouts in the game.
Kirby only pitched through the second and left after reaching 46 pitches (29 strikes) over the first two innings. In all, Kirby walked one, struck out two and gave up three runs (two earned) on five hits in his start.
Gerson Garabitio meanwhile started for the Blue Rocks and pitched through the fifth with two runs allowed on eight hits. He did not earn a decision and finished with three walks and six strikeouts.
Vance Tatum earned the win for Wilmington after working through two innings in relief following Garabito. Tatum (BS, 2)(1-1, 5.06) also took a blown save as he allowed two runs in the Carolina seventh. Bryan Brickhouse (S, 6) worked the final two innings and earned the save after holding Carolina scoreless in the eighth and ninth innings.
D.J. Burt led the way for the Blue Rocks after going 2-for-5 with run in the first and a run scoring hit in the second. Castellano also scored in the first and ended up scoring three times in the game while going 3-for-5. Lee went 2-for-4 and finished with two RBI.
Dallas Carroll and Weston Wilson both had run scoring hits for the Mudcats in the third against Garabito and at the time pulled their club within one at 3-2. Carroll also scored a run in the seventh and went 2-for-5 with a run and a RBI while stretching his hitting streak to nine straight games. Wilson went 1-for-5 with a RBI and Ronnie Gideon was 2-for-5 with a double. 
The Mudcats finished the game 5-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left 12 men on base. They also left the bases loaded in the second and third innings and stranded 10 men on base between the second and fourth.
The loss dropped Carolina into a 1-1 tie in the four game set with the Blue Rocks. The series will continue on Saturday night at 5:00 p.m. at Five County Stadium. LHP Cam Roegner (3-1, 1.08) will have the start for the Mudcats on Saturday. RHP Arnaldo Hernandez (4-0, 2.61) will have the start for the Blue Rocks.
Saturday's game will also include a souvenir t-shirt giveaway for the first 1,200 fans ages 15 and older to enter through the Five County Stadium gates. The game will air 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 via high-definition video at MiLB.tv.
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