Mudcats rally past Chattanooga

Published in Sports on May 11, 2007 1:48 PM

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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Lee Mitchell slugged two home runs and Chase Lambin provided a three-run homer as Carolina rallied past Chattanooga 9-6 at AT&T Field on Thursday evening.

Mitchell (4-for-5, four RBI) ripped a two-run shot in opening inning and a solo blast in the eighth. Lambin became the first Mudcat player with five hits in a game in three years and belted his three-RBI dinger in a five-run, eighth-inning outburst.

Billy Lamm collected five hits against the Lookouts on May 12, 2004. Lambin (four RBI) became the 12th player in Mudcat history to record a five-hit outing and just missed the cycle with a single, double and home run.

Carolina (14-20 overall) watched a 3-0 lead after the top of the first inning slip away as the Lookouts (15-19) tied the game in the bottom half against James Russ, and then scored twice in the second and once in the third to gain a 6-3 lead.

Russ, who battled shoulder tendonitis during spring training, made his first start since Sept. 1, 2006, having battled shoulder tendonitis during spring training. He allowed six runs in three inings.

Chattanooga starter Sam Lecure carried a 6-3 lead into the fourth inning when he was forced out after five pitches with an injury. Former Mudcat pitcher Luke Lockwood entered and tossed three scoreless innings.

The Mudcats then assaulted the Lookouts' bullpen, including Tyler Pelland, who allowed consecutive home runs in the eighth to take the loss.

Carolina's bullpen pitched five scoreless innings with Scott Nestor and Jarrett Santos tossing two apiece. Christopher Young registering his first save of the season on his first day back at Double-A.

The teams complete their five-game series tonight.