Matt Fairel had a strong outing and plenty of run support Tuesday night, giving the Carolina Mudcats a 9-1 road win over the Chattanooga Lookouts and a win in their three-game series.
- Photo by Nikolaus © 2010 Carolina Mudcats
- Mudcats pitcher Matt Fairel
The result put the Mudcats a game over .500 and to within a game of the first-place Lookouts in the Southern League’s North Division.
Meanwhile the Durham Bulls had a rare bad night, falling 10-4 at Charlotte.
The Mudcats move on to West Tenn on Wednesday night to start a four-game series that ends with the All-Star Break.
Durham, meanwhile, will finish the quick two-game series at Charlotte before returning home on Thursday night against the Norfolk Tides.
Mudcats 9, Chattanooga 1
Fairel (3-3) went 7 1/3 innings and allowed a run on just two hits with four strikeouts against a pair of walks in the easy win.
Kris Negron tripled and doubled for three RBI for the Mudcats, who also got a double and two singles for two RBI from Sean Henry. Carlos Mendez tripled and singled for two RBI while Dave Sappelt added three hits in the 12-hit Carolina attack.
Aaron Miller (0-2) took the loss.
Jaime Pedroza homered for Chattanooga.
Charlotte 10, Bulls 4
Jordan Danks had a pair of two-run homers to lead the Knights to the easy victory.
Carlos Torres (7-5) was the winning pitcher while Carlos Hernandez (6-4) took the loss.
The Bulls finished with just three hits, led by Justin Ruggiano with a double and an RBI. J.J. Furmaniak added a double and scored two runs.
Durham has a nine-game lead over Charlotte in the International League’s South Division.
Wednesday’s games
Bulls at Charlotte, 7:15 p.m.
Heath Phillips (L, 6-6, 4.13) vs. Jeff Marquez (R, 7-4, 4.02).
Mudcats at West Tenn, 8:05 p.m.
Daryl Thompson (R, 0-3, 3.00) vs. Steve Bray (R, 4-6, 3.82)
