Riggs Homerun Sparks Mudcats Rally
July 5, 2007 - Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release
Zebulon, N.C. - Former Suns infielder Eric Riggs ignited a three-run, fifth inning rally with a leadoff homerun against his old team as the Carolina Mudcats (36-52, 8-10) went on to a 5-2 win over the Jacksonville Suns (54-34, 13-5) at Five County Stadium.
With the loss the Suns will at least be tied for first place in the South Division come Friday, depending on the outcome of the Montgomery-Mobile game as the Montgomery Biscuits entered Thursday one game back of the first place Suns.
Carolina opened the scoring against Suns starter Alvis Ojeda in the second inning when Rex Rundgren singled home Jai Miller for a 1-0 lead. Jacksonville bounced back against Carolina starter Jimmy Serrano in the top of the third when Xavier Paul double home Juan Gonzalez to tie the game 1-1. The Paul hit extended his hit streak to 11 straight games.
The Mudcats regained the lead in the third inning after a leadoff triple from Southern League All-Star Chase Lambin, followed by an RBI single from All-Star Lee Mitchell to give Carolina a 2-1 advantage. Jacksonville tied the game again in the fifth inning when James Tomlin beat the throw home on an Alvis Ojeda sacrifice fly to make it a 2-2 score.
Suns Manager John Shoemaker suffered his first ejection of the 2007 season during the fourth inning while arguing a controversial catch by Carolina right fielder Johnny Raburn.
Carolina put the game away for good in the fifth inning against Ojeda. Former Suns infielder Eric Riggs hit a leadoff homerun off of the right-centerfield scoreboard to open a 3-2 lead. Later in the inning Lee Mitchell doubled home Chase Lambin while a Jai Miller groundout RBI scored Mitchell to open a 5-2 Mudcats lead.
The Carolina relievers Mauro Zarate and Chris Mobley did not allow any baserunners in three innings of work behind starter Jimmy Serrano. On the other side, Suns relievers Greg Miller, Mark Alexander and B.J. LaMura did not allow a hit in four innings of combined work behind starter Alvis Ojeda. Serrano (2-1) picked up the win for Carolina while Ojeda (3-5) fell in the loss for Jacksonville. Mobley (5) saved the game with a perfect ninth.
The Suns and Mudcats meet in game three of the series Friday at 7:15 p.m. John Shoemaker will try to become Jacksonville Southern League leader in managerial wins as he is currently tied with Tommy Thompson (1985-88) with 302. Suns RH Zach Hammes will face Carolina RH James Russ. Fans can follow the action in Jacksonville on AM 930 The Fox or online at jaxsuns.com.
Southern League Stories from July 5, 2007
- BayBears Hand Over Win to Montgomery - Mobile BayBears
- Independence Weekend Fireworks Friday - Mobile BayBears
- Hart Deals and Smokies Slam Long Balls in 8-0 Win - Knoxville Smokies
- Smokies Turn on Power and Shut Down Stars - Huntsville Stars
- Lookouts Steal One from Braves - Mississippi Braves
- Jaxx Cure Road Woes, 6-1 - Jackson Generals
- Mudcats Get Past Suns, 5-2 - Carolina Mudcats
- Riggs Homerun Sparks Mudcats Rally - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Fireworks at the Hank - Mobile BayBears
- Changes to Stars' Pitching Staff - Huntsville Stars
- Biscuits win wild one over Mobile, 11-8 - Montgomery Biscuits
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
