Sugar Bear streak ends at 17

With the new win streak record already in hand, the Sugar Bears let down their guard yesterday and lost 6-2 to Carolina, officially ending their 17 game winning streak. John Maine held the Sugar Bears in check for 6.1 innings, allowing 1 run on 7 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 6. Bengie Molina was 3-5 with 2 RBIs as the Mudcats piled on in the middle innings. The Mudcats remained 1/2 game up on Hillsborough.

Meanwhile, the Hitmen took game 2 against Las Vegas in a possible playoff preview. Dan Haren and Josh Beckett duelled in a scoreless game for 8 innings. Then in the top of the 9th Kelly Shoppach hit a 2-run double off Hideki Okajima to break the tie. After retiring the first two batters in the bottom of the 9th, Mike Gonzalez got into some trouble after giving up a single and a double to Rats batters, but left both stranded to preserve the shutout.

Vancouver edged Sardine City 4-3 behind a solid performance from Ben Sheets (6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 9 K) and gained a game on their playoff pursuers. Philadelphia lost a tough one to Hoboken, 7-6. In the bottom of the 9th, the Animals held a 6-5 lead, but Miguel Cabrera hit a solo homer to tie the game up and send it to extra innings. In the 10th, Ian Kinsler won the game for Hoboken with a walkoff single. Arkansas had a tougher challenge, taking on the wild card leader, Marietta. But Marietta's offense was alive and well Thursday night and took the game 7-4, knocking the Falcons 3 games behind the wild card, with 8 games to go.