Miller clubs three homers in Mudcats win

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on July 26, 2007 1:47 PM

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Sevierville, TN -- Jai Miller tied a club record with three home runs and seven RBI to lead the Carolina Mudcats past the Tennessee Smokies 12-5 at Smokies Park on Wednesday night.

Miller, who drove in a career-high six runs on June 30 at Chattanooga, hit a solo blast in the second inning on Tuesday night before rain suspended the contest. Miller later hit a two-run homer against Chicago Cubs right-hander Wade Miller then socked a grand slam in the seventh to become the second Mudcats player ever to hit three home runs in a game joining George Canale in 1995.

Miller's seven RBI tied Jose Reyes' club record of 1998.

Jimmy Serrano (W, 4-1) earned the victory in relief of Jesus Delgado, who started the game on Tuesday night. Serrano pitched 32/3 inning, allowing one run before leaving the game in the sixth with a left calf injury.

After Tuesday's game was suspended in the middle of the third tied at 1-1, the game resumed after a 2-hour, 55-minute rain delay on Wednesday. Consequently, the second game scheduled was pushed back to today at 5:15 p.m. with a doubleheader.

Gaby Hernandez and Blake McGinley will start tonight for Carolina, which moved back to the .500 mark at 16-16 in the second half, 31/2 games behind first-place Huntsville.