August 31, 2004

Zebulon, NC - The Carolina Mudcats may not be heading to the playoffs for the first time in three seasons, yet they are racing to the finish wire playing as well as anyone in the Southern League.

Carolina swept a doubleheader over the playoff-bound Tennessee Smokies 2-1 and 5-0 to move past the .500 mark for the first time in the second half, winning for the sixth time in seven games.

With the two wins, the Mudcats (33-31, 70-64) moved into a second-place tie with Greenville with six games remaining. The Mudcats were eliminated from the second half race by runaway division leading Chattanooga last week. Carolina, however, has the third best overall record in the league behind the Lookouts and Birmingham, both playoff teams.

Nic Ungs (W, 11-8, 6ip, 5h, 1r, 1er, 3w, 4k) won his fourth straight start in the opener when pinch-hitter James Shanks earned a bases-loaded walk against former Mudcat Todd Moser (L, 2-4). Randy Messenger (S, 20) saved the 2-1 win by recording a 5-2-3 double play with the bases loaded and one out.

In the nightcap, Mike McNutt (W, 3-1) pitched six scoreless innings en route to his first win as a starter 5-0. Chip Ambres (HR, 19) continued extending a career-high home run campaign with a two-run shot in the third, his 19th of the season. Two innings later, Josh Willingham (HR, 23) matched a franchise record with his 23rd homer to centerfield.

Carolina continues its series against the Smokies (27-37, 66-68) Wednesday night with Jeff Fulchino (6-5) starting against Anthony Reyes at 7:15 PM ET.

Game # 1
Tennessee 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 --- 1 7 0 8
Carolina 0 1 0 0 0 1 x --- 2 5 0 8

WP - Ungs (11-8)
LP - Moser (2-4)
S - Messenger (20)

HR - None.

Time: 1:48

Game # 2
Tennessee 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- 0 2 3 5
Carolina 0 1 3 0 1 0 x --- 5 7 2 4

WP - McNutt (3-1)
LP - Leek (3-10)
S - None.

HR - Ambres (19), Willingham (22)

Time: 1:47

Att: 1,781