Sunday, May 29, 2005

W 5-3

Chattanooga, TN --- JC Muniz tattooed a pinch-homer in the top of the 13th inning to lead Carolina to a 5-3 victory over the Chattanooga Lookouts at Bell South Park on Sunday night.

Muniz, who batted following a leadoff double by Drew Niles, worked the count to 2-2 without attempting to bunt before powering a long home run down the left field line for a 5-3 lead.  Jeremy Schmidt (L, 2-4) surrendered the homer and suffered the loss.  The pinch-bomb was Carolina's third of the season. 

Carolina (32-17) remained 1 1/2 behind North-leading West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, who also won on a homer - a solo shot by Nate Frese in the last of the eighth to beat Birmingham 3-2. 

The Mudcats, who improved to 7-0 at Bell South this season, blew a 3-1 lead in the eighth when Jeff Bannon hit a game-tying homer against relief pitcher Ross Wolf with none out.  Wolf entered to begin the eighth inning after seven strong innings from starter Nic Ungs.

Carolina moved ahead 1-0 in the second inning on a single by Ungs, followed by a two-run single by Niles in the third against Ben Kozlowski.  Ungs, who had three double plays turned behind him, gave up one run on nine hits while fanning six in his outing. 

Ryan Baker (W, 2-1) pitched three shutout inning to record the victory, while Chris Resop (S, 10) fanned two in a perfect 13th inning to earn his 10th save, second highest in the league. 

The Lookouts (21-29) were held hitless the rest of the game following Bannon's homer.

Niles finished 3-5, scoring twice and driving in two.  Rex Rundgren went 3-6, while Jason Hill had a pair of doubles in six at-bats.

Scott Olsen (4-3, 3.91) starts the series finale on Monday afternoon at 2:15 PM ET against Lance Caraccioli (5-3, 3.99).

CAROLINA            0 1 2   0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0   2   ---   5   14   0   12

CHATTANOOGA    0 0 0   0 1 0   0 2 0   0 0 0   0   ---   3   11   1    6

WP - Baker (2-1)

LP - Schmidt (2-4)

S - Resop (10)

HR - Bannon (7), Muniz (3)

Time:  3:20

Att:  4,466