Mudcats move into first place

Published in Sports on June 30, 2006 2:03 PM

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ZEBULON -- Carolina scored four runs in the home half of the eighth to move into a first-place tie in the North with a 4-2 victory over Tennessee at Five County Stadium on Thursday night.

Lee Mitchell delivered a two-run single with two outs and the bases loaded to put Carolina (6-5) ahead 2-1. Two additional unearned runs scored on a throw from shortstop Alberto Gonzalez which pulled Jamie D'Antona away from the first base bag.

The Mudcats offense was stymied by Smokies starter Garrett Mock, who matched a career-high with 10 strikeouts over seven scoreless innings.

Dustin Glant (2-5) entered for the eighth, retired the first two hitters before allowing singles to Jose Campusano and Frank Moore. Doug Slaten relieved Glant, but walked pinch-hitter Edgar Gonzalez to fill the bases ahead of Mitchell's single.

Tennessee (6-5) had taken a 1-0 lead against reliever Chris Mobley in the seventh on a solo homer by Phil Avlas. D'Antona went opposite field for his 12th home run of the season in the ninth inning against closer Kevin Cave. It was Cave'sfifth save of the year.

Adam Brandenburg (1-1) earned his first Double-A victory by pitching a scoreless eighth inning. Manu Olivera worked 5 2/3 shutout innings, fanning three in a no-decision start.

The Mudcats, Smokies and Chattanooga Lookouts are all 6-5 in the second half, tied for the Northern Division lead.

Paul Mildren (6-6, 3.66) starts tonight's second game of the series against Tennessee's Steven Jackson (3-6, 3.12) at 7:15.