Mudcats squeezed out of win

ZEBULON -- Carlos Roja executed a perfect squeeze bunt and Tennessee prevailed 2-1 over Carolina in an 11-inning, Southern League contest Wednesday evening at Five County Stadium.

With one out and the bases loaded, Rojas connected on the suicide squeeze, which surprised the Mudcats defense. Jake Fox scored on the play and snapped Carolina's modest two-game win streak.

The Mudcats grabbed an early lead on Ryan Bear's solo home run, which bounced off the left-field scoreboard. Bear needed 10 pitches to collect sixth homer and 28th RBI of the season.

Rick Vanden Hurk and the Mudcats tried to preserve that lead for the rest of the game. The Dutch right-hander ran into trouble in the seventh inning, but a dazzling throw by Chase Lambin kept the Smokies scoreless. Tennessee left fielder Issmael Salas tried to score from first but was gunned down at home.

Vanden Hurk departed with seven shutout innings on his ledger. But Bear's solo homer couldn't stand up as Tennesee rallied for the 1-1 tie on Tyler Colvin's eighth-inning, RBI single.

Smokies reliever James Henderson picked up his fourth win on the season.

The teams continue their series tonight. Game time is 7:15 p.m.

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on June 28, 2007 01:47 PM