Mudcats eat up Biscuits

Published in Sports on June 8, 2006 2:00 PM

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ZEBULON -- James Russ worked eight innings en route to his first win in more than a month as Carolina defeated the Montgomery Biscuits 7-1 in the series opener at Five County Stadium on Wednesday night.

Russ (3-6), who last tasted victory on April 28, fanned nine and permitted just a sixth inning homer as the Mudcats (28-33) prevailed in the first meeting of the season between the teams.

It also provided a big boost to the Mudcats, who had dropped seven of their last eight going into the contest.

Alejandro DeAza, who had not started the past three games due to a slight wrist ailment, went 3-for-4 and scored all four times he reached to pace the offense. Edgar Gonzalez also added three hits and drove in two. Kevin Randel and J.C. Muniz powered homers as the Mudcats improved to 2-4 on their 10-game homestand.

Ryan Bear drove in two during the game, including a DeAza-scoring single in the first inning to put Russ ahead 1-0. Gonzalez doubled home DeAza in the third. After reaching on an error, DeAza came home again in the fifth on a single to left by Gonzalez. DeAza hit his second double of the game to begin the seventh and scored on Randel's team-best eighth homer.

With the Mudcats' win, coupled with Jacksonville's victory on Wednesday night, the Suns clinched the first half in the Southern Division, eliminating the Biscuits.

Carolina trails first-place Chattanooga in the Northern Division by 91/2 games with nine to play, however the Lookouts have 10 remaining, hence the Mudcats not yet mathematically eliminated.

Anibal Sanchez (2-5, 3.58) starts tonight against Tony Peguero (5-6, 3.33) at 7:15.