Mudcats win home opener

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on April 17, 2006 1:57 PM

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ZEBULON -- Lee Mitchell hit home runs in his first two at-bats at Five County Stadium as Carolina won its home opener 3-2 over Jacksonville on Easter Sunday afternoon before 4,103 fans.

Mitchell's first blast cleared the center field wall against Suns starter Danny Muegge, the belted the first pitch from Muegge to left center in the fourth inning as Carolina (5-6) built a 3-1 lead.

Anibal Sanchez (1-1) notched his first win in the Marlins organization, working six innings, permitting six hits and a run for the victory. Sanchez dodged a sixth-inning push by the Suns, stranding two Suns baserunners with the bullpen preparing with one out in the inning.

Christopher Young allowed a seventh inning run, but pitched a scoreless eighth before Chris Mobley cleaned up his second Double-A save in the ninth, leaving the tying run at second as he fanned Justin Ruggiano to end the game.

The Mudcats, who entered the game with losses in four of five games, claimed a series opener for the first time in three tries in the regular season after losing the first battles in Mobile and Chattanooga.

Carolina can climb back to the .500 mark with a win tonight. Adam Bostick will make his third start of the season at 7:15 p.m.