Finally.
- Photo by Nikolaus © 2010 Carolina Mudcats
- Mudcats catcher Chris Denove
The misery ended for the Carolina Mudcats Friday night, as they blasted the homestanding Mobile BayBears 10-3 to end an 11-game losing streak that was one short of the longest in club history.
Meanwhile things didn’t go well for the Durham Bulls, who dropped a series for the first time this season with a 12-7 road loss to the Buffalo Bisons. Buffalo won three out of four games against the Bulls, who have lost four of their last five.
Durham will continue its road trip with the opener of a four-game series at Rochester.
The Mudcats will be in Mobile for the third of their five-game series with the BayBears tonight.
Chris Denove led the way with a double and two singles for five RBI as the Mudcats finally got a chance to celebrate.
Dallas Buck (2-3) picked up the win while Tom Layne (2-1) took the loss.
Denis Phipps added a double and a single with an RBI for the Mudcats.
Outfielder Dave Sappelt had a hit in his pinch-hitting appearance for Carolina after being promoted from Lynchburg of the Carolina League. Sappelt replaced outfielder Luis Terrero, who was promoted to Louisville of the International League. Also, left-handed pitcher Lee Tabor came down from Louisville, with starter Matt Klinker placed on the temporary inactive list.
Buffalo 12, Bulls 7
Aneury Rodriguez isn’t perfect. The Dominican phenom allowed four earned runs in 3 1/3 innings, his first allowed in three Triple-A starts, as he and the Bulls took it on the chin from one of their biggest rivals.
Mike Hessman’s fourth-inning grand slam was the biggest blow for Buffalo, helping Pat Misch pick up the win. Chris Carter added a homer and two singles for the Bisons, who also got a solo homer from Fernando Martinez.
The Bulls lost despite a homer and a double with a pair of RBI from Angel Chavez, while Justin Ruggiano had a pair of hits to continue his hitting streak at 15 games.
Saturday’s games
Bulls at Rochester, 7:05 p.m.
Richard De Los Santos (R, 0-0, 6.00) vs. TBA
Mudcats at Mobile, 8:05 p.m.
Tom Cochran (L, 2-0, 1.59) vs. Pat McAnaney (L, 0-2, 6.43)