Rodriguez Go-Ahead Grand Slam in Ninth Powers Mudcats to Thrilling Win

Carolina Mudcats 5 – Augusta GreenJackets 3

Box Score

NORTH AUGUSTA, SC – In a game where the Carolina Mudcats (11-2) struggled for offense all night long Friday night at SRP Park, all it took was one swing from Yophery Rodriguez to change things. The 18-year-old drove a breaking ball the other way to left field for a go-ahead grand slam in the top of the ninth to give the Mudcats a stunning 5-3 victory over the Augusta GreenJackets (6-7). Carolina has now won three straight following Tuesday's series-opening defeat.

Early on, Augusta starter Garrett Baumann was dominant on the hill. The righthander went six scoreless innings allowing just three hits and two walks while striking out seven. The GreenJackets scattered run support throughout his outing with a Luis Sanchez RBI single in the third, a Robert Gonzalez run-scoring double in the fourth, and a Drew Compton RBI base hit in the sixth to stake their starter a 3-0 lead. Baumann was relieved by lefty Mitch Farris, who kept the Mudcats offense at bay in the seventh and eighth innings.

Farris returned to the mound for the top of the ninth and struck out the first batter he faced. However, he then walked David Garcia and was lifted from the game in favor of L.J. McDonough (L, 0-1). McDonough quickly surrendered a single to Yhoswar Garcia and a walk to Jose Acosta that loaded the bases for Juan Baez. Carolina's leadoff hitter hit a slow roller to short and dove in head first to first base to beat out an RBI infield single that got the Mudcats on the board.

That brought up Rodriguez, who swung at the first pitch he saw from McDonough and drove it over the left field fence for his first career Single-A home run. The grand slam was the first by a Mudcat since Jace Avina on August 16, 2022 at Five County Stadium.

With a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth, Carolina righthander Harrison Durow (SV, 3) swiftly set down Augusta in order, striking out a pair and earning his third save of the season.

The Mudcats now look to secure their third straight series win on Saturday night in North Augusta. RHP Josh Timmerman gets the ball for Carolina while the GreenJackets send RHP Adam Maier to the hill. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 PM.

Single-game tickets, season ticket packages, mini plans, group options, as well as luxury suite packages and DRB Homes Sky Lounge reservations in the US Foods Club Level are also still available now by visiting www.carolinamudcats.com, by calling (919) 269-2287, and by visiting the Five County Stadium front office in Zebulon.