Mudcats rally to beat Smokies

Published in Sports on May 22, 2006 2:04 PM

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ZEBULON -- The Carolina Mudcats wrapped up a 7-3 homestand with a comeback 9-7 victory over the Tennessee Smokies on Sunday afternoon before 3,972 fans at Five County Stadium.

Jonathan Aceves hit a two-run single as part of a four-run seventh inning to snap a 7-7 tie as the Mudcats (22-23) took three of five from Tennessee (21-24). Carolina entered the frame trailing 7-5, but sent eight hitters to the plate against three Smokies relievers.

Carolina had 14 hits in the win, including three apiece from Edgar Gonzalez and Alejandro DeAza.

Each team used up six pitchers, with Manu Olivera working 42/3 innings in the start for the Mudcats. Matt Blank (1-0) earned the win with 2/3 scoreless relief of Chris Mobley in the seventh. Mobley had surrendered a homer to Agustin Murillo. Kevin Cave permitted four runs -- one earned -- over 11/3 innings, including two Smokies home runs.

Taylor Tankersley notched his fifth save by pitching a scoreless ninth inning.

Carolina has an off day today and opens a 10-game road trip on Tuesday at West Tenn at 8:05 p.m.

Saturday's late game

Smokies 9, Mudcats 4

ZEBULON -- Alberto Gonzalez drove in four runs with a pair of singles to lead Tennessee past Carolina 9-4.

Tennessee scored four in the first inning against Paul Mildren (3-3) thanks to a pair of bases-loaded walks, and a two-out single by Gonzalez.

The Smokies pushed ahead 8-0 with four more against Mildren in the fifth, highlighted by another two-run hit from Gonzalez. Mildren gave up eight runs -- five earned -- over 42/3 innings.

Carolina did nothing with Steven Jackson, who was making his first start since April 29. Jackson, activated from the disabled list before the game, pitched four scoreless innings, then yielded to the Smokies bullpen. The Mudcats touched up Bill White for two runs in the fifth on a single by Lee Mitchell, then added two in the sixth when right fielder Jon Zeringue dropped a two-out flyball with two aboard.

Ryan Bear had three of Carolina's nine hits, with two singles and a double. Mitchell drove in a run for the fifth straight game, giving him 10 in those contests.

After the game, outfielder B.J. Garbe announced his retirement. Garbe doubled in his final at-bat and completed his career with a .235 average and 37 professional home runs. Garbe was Minnesota's first round pick in 1999 from Moses Lake High School in Washington, and was signed by the Marlins this past December as a free agent.