Carolina seizes road win with ninth-inning rally

Published in Sports on May 25, 2006 2:08 PM

• Print
• Email

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Carolina cracked open a scoreless game with three runs in the ninth to defeat the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx 3-0 at Pringles Park on Wednesday night.

Rex Rundren grounded a single into right field against Thomas Atlee (L, 2-2) to score Angel Molina with two outs. Rundgren's grounder leaked just past second baseman Eric Patterson chasing into the hole, and when Adam Greenberg's throw skipped past Jose Reyes, Alejandro DeAza scampered home with the second run. Lee Mitchell followed with a single to center to score Rundgren for a 3-0 lead.

Anibal Sanchez and Diamond Jaxx starter Carlos Marmol built the pitchers' duel, with each starter working six shutout innings. Sanchez fanned a season-high nine batters, while allowing just two hits. Marmol whiffed seven and allowed four hits. Neither figured in the decision.

West Tenn (27-20) had the first premium scoring chance in the seventh against winning pitcher Taylor Tankersley. Miguel Negron walked, took second on an error on first baseman Ryan Bear handling a pickoff throw, then was bunted to third with one out before Tankersley (4-1) bore down. Tankersley fanned 2004 Southern League MVP Richard Lewis with a 3-2 curveball, then struck out Greenberg to end the threat.

Greenberg atoned in the top of the eighth defensively when the Mudcats loaded the bases against first-time Double-A pitcher Carlos Vasquez. With one out, Edgar Gonzalez drilled a sinking liner toward right-center only to see Greenberg dive onto his chest to catch it. Jose Campusano, the Mudcats baserunner at third strayed down the line on contact and could not tag up. Jonathan Aceves struck out to kill the inning.

Kevin Cave earned his first save of the season, retiring the Jaxx in order on three grounders.

The Mudcats (23-24) remained eight games behind first-place Chattanooga in the North.

Paul Mildren (3-3, 4.35) starts tonight against Chris Shaver (2-3, 3.18) at 8:05 PM ET.