Zebulon, NC - Billy Hall singled home Charles Frazier with the winning run as the Carolina Mudcats defeated the Tennessee Smokies 5-4 before 5,999 at Five County Stadium on Friday night.

The Mudcats rallied from 4-1 down in the seventh to win their fourth straight, climbing to within five games of first-place Greenville and Chattanooga in the Eastern Division.

Ryan Minor (0-4, rbi, k) grounded home Stokes from third base in the seventh to begin the Mudcats charge. Minor was signed from the Atlantic League earlier in the week.

Jason Stokes (HR, 17, 2-4, 2r, 2rbi) hit a two-run homer with two outs in the eighth to tie the game against Smokies releiver Josh Kinney.

The ninth inning win began on a single by catcher Dennis Anderson (1-3, w, k). Rex Rundgren (1-3, hbp, k) was hit by a pitch from Nick Stocks (L, 1-1) while squaring to bunt. Frazier then pinch-ran for Anderson at second base before pitcher Ryan Baker (W, 3-1, 2ip, 0h, 0r, 1w, 2k) popped out bunting to Stocks. Hall (2-3, r, 2rbi, 2w, 3sb) worked the count to 3-1 before ripping a single to center to score Frazier easily.

Carolina (9-11) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a double by Jeff Inglin (1-4, 2b, rbi, k) against the left field wall to score Hall, who had walked and stolen second and third base.

The Smokies tied the game 1-1 in the second against Trevor Hutchinson (ND, 6ip, 8h, 4r, 4er, 3w, 3k) on a homer to right by Chris Duncan. Tennessee scored three times in the third inning on a two-run triple by Papo Bolivar and a single by third baseman Gabe Johnson, who also turned in a pair of hit-saving defensive stops during the game. Johnson pilfered a single from Minor in the seventh, then robbed Chip Ambres (0-4, r, k, sb) of a double down the line in the eighth.

Scott Narveson, who entered 3-8, retired 14 consecutive Mudcats from the end of the first until a single by Hall in the sixth. Narveson also singled to begin a three-run inning and walked twice against Hutchinson.

Carolina sends Peter Bauer (5-6, 3.92) to the mound on Saturday night at 7:15 PM ET against Randy Leek (3-4, 3.86).

Tennessee 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- 4 9 0 10
Carolina 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 --- 5 8 1 7

WP - Baker (3-1)
LP - Stocks (1-1)
S - None.

HR --- Duncan (9), Stokes (17)

Time: 2:49
Att: 5,999

Notes: 1B Jason Stokes homer in the eighth inning cleared the centerfield wall against Josh Kinney, coming off a 2-2 pitch. The homer was Stokes first since June 3rd against Chris Narveson at Smokies Park. Stokes missed 20 games with a left wrist injury, and returned to Carolina's lineup last Thursday in Montgomery... Before Carolina's win Friday night, the Mudcats were 3-36 when trailing after seven innings.... Hall stole three bases, giving him 28 this season, including 10 consecutive. Hall has stolen six bases in the last four games, and now ranks second in the league behind West Tenn's Dwaine Bacon, who leads the league with 44. The 35-year-old Hall led the Southern League with 45 last year... Saturday night is Juan Pierre Bobblehead night for the first 1,200 youths aged 14 and younger. Gates open at 6:15.... Saturday morning is the Mudcats Annual Mini-Camp. Mudcats coaches and players will be there for baseball fundamental instruction beginning at 9:30 am until 11:45 am. Registration can still be done on-site for $45 per youth.

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