Montgomery, AL --- Carolina's bid to win 11 straight games for the first time in club history fell a run short in the series opener in Montgomery, dropping a 3-2 decision to the Biscuits at Riverwalk Stadium.

 

Rico Washington hit a lead-changing homer in the seventh against Yorman Bazardo (L, 3-1), then speared a would-be game-tying double off the bat of Chris Ashby in the ninth to preserve the victory. 

 

Carolina (16-4) took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning thanks to a throwing error by Chris Seddon.  Jeremy Hermida scored from first base when Seddon bounced a throw past first baseman Gabriel Martinez, allowing Todd Sears to go home to third.  Two batters later, Drew Niles doubled to deep left-center to bring Sears home.

 

Bazardo cruised through the first five innings before surrendering a homer to Delwyn Young two outs into the sixth.  Washington homered in the seventh after Bazardo walked Elijah Dukes. 

 

The Mudcats best chance to tie the game came in the eighth against NC State product Chad Orvella.  Eric Reed singled then advanced to third on a base hit to right by Hermida.  Sears and James Shanks struck out to end the inning.

 

Carolina's 10-game winning streak matched runs in 1993 and 1994.  The Mudcats 16-4 record is still tops in the minors, and the best start to the season in franchise history.

 

The Biscuits' (12-9) win snapped a four-game losing streak.

 

Josh Johnson (3-1, 2.42) starts the series' second game Friday night against Jason Cromer (3-1, 3.57) at 8:05 PM ET.

 

CAROLINA        0 0 0   2 0 0   0 0 0    ---   2   7   0   7

MONTGOMERY 0 0 0   0 0 1   2 0 x   ---   3   6   1   3

 

WP - Diaz (1-0)

LP - Bazardo (3-1)

S - Orvella (2)

 

HR - Young (4), Washington (3)

 

Time:  2:22

Att:  3,690