Mudcats Squander Late Lead in 4-3 Loss

BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Marcos Diplan struck out eight and allowed just one hit over six quality innings, but the Mudcats lost a 3-1 lead in the seventh as the Astros rallied back for a 4-3, series clinching victory at Jim Perry Stadium in Buies Creek on Wednesday night.

The Mudacts (15-18) led 3-1 through six before reliever Alec Kenilvort ended up allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits in the seventh while letting the late lead slip away. Kenilvort (0-2, 7.50) also walked one and struck out one while suffering his third blown save and second loss of the season.
The Buies Creek (20-13) seventh started with a strikeout from Osvaldo Duarte, but then continued with a single from Anibal Sierra, a walk to Troy Sieber and a single to left from Carlos Canelon. With the bases loaded, Kristian Trompiz then popped into a force out in center that Carolina used to get an out at second. Sierra scored on the pop up to center to cut the lead to 3-2, but then an infield single from Angarita put the Astros up 4-3 as he brought in both Sieber and Trompiz. A catching error at first on Angarita's hit gave Angarita a chance to try for third, but the Mudcats ended up catching him at third to end the inning.
The damage had been done though as the Astros rallied for three runs and three hits in the seventh to take the lead for the first time in the game. Reliever Jesus Balaguer kept the Mudcats scoreless in the eighth to hold the newly found Astros' lead and Colin McKee later worked the ninth to earn his first save while leading Buies Creek to the two games to one series victory.
Balaguer (3-1, 5.68) pitched through two and 1/3 scoreless frames while earning the win. McKee (S., 1) walked one, gave up one hit and struck out two to finish the game. He also struck out Rob Henry with two men on base to close out the Buies Creek victory.
Carolina originally led 1-0 in the game after getting unearned run in the first on a two-out RBI single from Dallas Carroll. The run scoring hit brought in Keston Hiura who had reached on an error earlier in the inning. 
Jorge Alcala started and had allowed just the one unearned run and one hit in the first, before then giving up a run in the fourth and fifth innings. Ronnie Gideon started Carolina's one run fourth by reaching second on a hit and error in left. Weston Wilson pushed him to third with an infield single and Gideon later scored when he and Wilson executed a double steal. Wilson went to second on the play and Gideon scored from third to give the Mudcats a 2-0 lead.
Ryan Aguilar later extended the Carolina lead to 3-0 in the fifth after driving in Luis Aviles Jr. Jr. from second with a run scoring double to deep right-center. In all, Alcala went five and 2/3 innings with three runs (two earned) allowed on four hits. He also walked two and struck out six in the no-decision.
The Astros picked up their first run of the game in the fifth and did so while also collecting their first hit against Diplan. Carolina's starter took a no-hitter into the fifth, but lost it after giving up a double to Sieber. A wild-pitch moments later moved Sieber up to third and he managed to score on a groundout to second by Canelon.
Diplan left the game with his club up 3-1 and after working through six solid innings. In all, Diplan struck out eight, walked four and allowed just one run on one hit. He reached 87 pitches, threw 49 strikes and pitched to a season best game score of 71 in what ended up being a no-decision.
Kenilvort followed Diplan and lost the 3-1 lead in the eighth before then giving way to Luke Barker for the eighth. Barker struck out one and faced three while working a quick eighth out of the Carolina bullpen.
The 4-3 victory lifted the Astros into a two games to one series victory over the Mudcats. It was also their fifth win over seven games against Carolina this season.
The Mudcats next play at home on Thursday night for Thirsty Thursday at Five County Stadium. Thursday's game is the first of a four game home stand against the Wilmington Blue Rocks and will begin at 7:00 p.m. 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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