Mudcats Held To Just Three Hits in 8-2 Loss to Astros

ZEBULON, N.C. - Josh Rojas went 3-for-4 with a home run, Ronnie Dawson drove in two runs while going 2-for-5 and reliever Corbin Martin struck out eight over four scoreless frames while earning the save as the Astros defeated the Mudcats 8-2 on Friday night in Zebulon.

With the victory, the Astros (11-5) took a two games to none lead over the Mudcats (8-8) in their four game series and stretched their win streak to seven straight games. The Mudcats, meanwhile, totaled just three hits in the loss, with all three coming during their two run second inning against starter Brett Adcock. 
Cooper Hummel started Carolina's three hit and two run second with a loud double to center and later scored on a RBI single from Carlos Belonis. Luis Aviles Jr. singled to third between Hummel and Belonis' knocks and went on to score on a sacrifice fly from Rob Henry as the Mudcats cut the Astros lead to 3-2.
Adcock allowed just those two runs and finished with a no-decision after leaving the game before the fifth. He gave up two runs (one earned) on three hits and struck out four in the start for the Astros. Carlos Sierra later pitched a scoreless fifth and earned the win while earning his first win of the season. Martin (S, 1) then finished it out by pitching through four no-hit frames with eight strikeouts against just one walk.
Buies Creek answered Carolina's two run second with four runs in the third and led 7-2 in the third before getting a home run from Rojas in the seventh. In all, they scored six of their runs against Braden Webb and later had one against relievers Conor Harber and Alec Kenilvort while wining the game 8-2.
Webb (1-2, 8.68) allowed a couple of hits in the first, but held the Astros to just one run in the opening frame before giving up two runs and two hits in the second. Webb worked into the third, but left after reaching 83 pitches in the game. Harber followed and allowed two inherited runners to score, before settling in and limiting the Astros over the next three innings.
Harber struck out seven, walked three and allowed just one run on three hits over three innings pitched. He gave way to Kenilvort who allowed just one run on two hits over two and 2/3 innings between the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. Cody Beckman wrapped it up by pitching a scoreless ninth with two strikeouts.
The Mudcats had just three at-bats with runners in scoring position and were just 2-for-3 with a runner at second or third in the game. They also stranded five and were held without a hit from the fourth through the end of the game.
The Astros pounded out 10 hits in the victory, with multi-hit games coming from Dawson, Rojas and Duarte. The pitching staff, meanwhile, totaled 12 strikeouts against four walks while keeping the Mudcats in control throughout the game.
The series will continue with game three of the four game set on Saturday night at Five County Stadium. Saturday's game will feature RHP Marcos Diplan (0-1, 4.97) starting for the Mudcats and RHP Jorge Alcala (0-2, 6.23) starting for the Astros. 
Saturday's game will also include the Mudcats playing in special Star Wars themed jerseys for Star Wars night at Five County Stadium. Those same game worn jerseys will be made available to fans for purchase through an online auction at auctions.carolinamudcats.com. All proceeds from the online jersey auction will benefit the JDRF Triangle/Eastern NC Chapter. Star Wars night will also include a souvenir beard giveaway for the first 1,200 kids ages 14 and under 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. It will also stream via live video on MiLB.tv.
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