ZEBULON, NC - Mario Feliciano crushed a go-ahead three-run home run in the sixth and Tristen Lutz hit a tie-breaking solo home run in the eighth, but Clayton Andrews allowed a three-run homer to Down East's JP Martinez in the ninth as the Wood Ducks escaped with a 6-4 series
ZEBULON, NC - Mario Feliciano crushed a go-ahead three-run home run in the sixth and Tristen Lutz hit a tie-breaking solo home run in the eighth, but Clayton Andrews allowed a three-run homer to Down East's JP Martinez in the ninth as the Wood Ducks escaped with a 6-4 series tying victory on Saturday night at Five County Stadium.
The Mudcats (29-20) were originally down 2-0 and had been no-hit through the fifth by Down East (33-17) starter Sal Mendez before breaking through in the sixth with four hits and three runs, all which scoring on Feliciano's three-run home run.
The home run was the ninth of the season for Feliciano, tying him for the Carolina League lead with the recently promoted Seth Beer. It also brought his RBI total to a team leading 35 for the year.
Mendez had worked through five near-perfect frames in his start before seeing Nick Roscetti break up the no-hit bid with a push bunt to first to start the sixth. Devin Hairston then followed with a line drive to center and, after two pop outs, Feliciano then connected on his home run over the video board in left. Mendez ended up working through the sixth with three runs allowed on just four hits (all in the sixth). He also walked two and struck out eight while finishing without a decision and reaching 93 pitches (68 strikes).
After getting a lead to work with for the first time, Zavolas then went back out for the seventh, but the Wood Ducks went on to quickly tie the game with Sam Huff hitting a triple to right-center and scoring on a sac fly from Anderson Tejeda. Zavolas pitched through seven full innings on Saturday and finished with three runs (two earned) on six hits over seven innings pitched. He also struck out five in the game while reaching 82 pitches (58 strikes).
The game was locked at 3-3 after the seventh, but Lutz's solo shot with two outs in the eighth off reliever Wes Robertson put the Mudcats up again at 4-3. Robertson had recorded two outs in the eighth before giving up what was the fifth homer of the year for Lutz. Robertson had also pitched a scoreless seventh before Lutz hit his game tying homer with two outs in the eighth. Lutz went 2-for-3 with a run, a home run and a RBI in the game for the Mudcats.
After Cody Beckman worked a scoreless eighth, allowing just one hit, stranding a runner at third and facing four, the Mudcats then went with Andrews (L, BS, 3.21) in the ninth. Andrews started the frame with a strikeout of Diosbel Arias, but then gave up a hit to Sam Huff, struck out Anderson Tejeda and allowed a hit to Yohel Pozo to set up Martinez. Andrews got Martinez to foul off a couple and even broke his bat before giving up the game deciding three-run home run to Martinez with two outs in the ninth.
Reliever Joe Barlow then worked a scoreless ninth for the Wood Ducks while sealing the series tying victory and earning his fourth save of the season. Barlow (S, 4) walked Roscetti in the ninth, but got the other three he faced to all pop out to end the game.
Down East's original 2-0 lead was built on a two-hit and one run first inning that saw Yonny Hernandez score on groundout to short. Martinez, who also homered in the ninth, ended up reaching on a misplayed grounder to the hole at second. He then stole third and scored on a catching error when Feliciano's throw to third was missed by Silva. Martinez went 2-for-4 with two runs, a home run and three RBI in the game for the Wood Ducks.
Carolina remained in second place in the Southern Division standings despite Saturday's game two of four loss to first place Down East. Carolina now trails the first Wood Ducks by 3.5 games in the first half standings with two more games left to go in the series.
The series will continue on Sunday night with the first pitch scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Five County Stadium. Sunday's game will be followed by post-game fireworks as part of Carolina's Memorial Day weekend festivities. The game will air live on the Mudcats Radio Network, The Big Dawg 98.5 FM and online at carolinamudcats.com via TuneIn Radio.
# # #
