K-Tribe wins seventh straight

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on June 6, 2007 1:51 PM

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WILMINGTON, Del. -- Defending Carolina League champion Kinston extended its win streak to seven games with a doubleheader sweep of Wilmington on Thursday.

John Drennen and Mike Butia banged out three hits apiece as the K-Tribe took the opener 7-5. Nathan Panther's solo home broke a late-game tie and Kinston claimed the nightcap 3-1.

The K-Tribe owns a four-game lead over Salem in the Southern Division standings with 12 games remaining in first-half play.

A five-run, fifth-inning outburst set the tone in the opener. Kinston batted around in that inning and received RBI hits from Drennen, Chris De La Cruz, Max Ramirez and Josh Rodriguez.

Frank Herrman yielded four earned runs in five innings and picked up his fourth win against one loss. Kyle Collins earned the save with a game-ending, bases-loaded strikeout against Miguel Vega.

Panther's solo shot broke a 1-1 tie in the eighth in game two. Butia added an insurance RBI single later in the inning to help Jim Deters claim his fourth mound decision.

Deters (4-2) tossed two innings of two-hit relief behind starter Josh Tomlin, who made his Carolina League debut after getting called up from Lake County. Tomlin allowed three hits in six innings.

The teams conclude their series today. Game time is 7:05 p.m.