June 13, 2004

Jacksonville, FL - Ronald Belizario worked into the seventh inning for the first time, then witnessed Randy Messenger strike out Shane Victorino with the tying run at second base as Carolina defeated Jacksonville 5-4 on Sunday afternoon at the Baseball Grounds.

Carolina (34-30) moved to within 1 1/2 games of first-place Chattanooga in the East with six games to play. The Lookouts played later Sunday night in Mobile.

The Mudcats went ahead 1-0 in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Josh Willingham. Willingham drove a deep flyball over the right field wall, but Reggie Abercrombie reached over the short wall and brought it back. Billy Hall tagged from third and scored.

A four-run third inning staked Belizario to a 5-0 advantage. Jason Stokes doubled home two runs with two outs to score Josh Wilson and Willingham. Run-scoring hits by Pat Magness and Andy Rohleder tacked on two more.

Belizario did not allow a hit until the Suns (32-31) fourth inning on a solo homer to Willy Aybar. James Loney homered in the sixth against Belizario as the Suns pulled to within 5-2.

Leading 5-2 in the seventh, Belizario allowed two hits, and was relieved by Ryan Baker. Baker retired the next two hitters before Victorino short-hopped the right field wall for an RBI double. Reggie Abercrombie popped out to end the inning.

Todd Moser worked a perfect eighth inning before Messenger entered for the ninth. Messenger was greeted by a first-pitch double by Derek Michaelis. Tony Schiffano singled down the right field line to score Michaelis to make it 5-4. After a sacrifice moved the tying run to second, pinch-hitter Nelson Castro flew out down the left field line before Victorino fanned against Messenger.

Carolina sends Peter Bauer (4-3) to the hill on Monday at 1:05 PM ET against the Suns.

Notes: 1B Jason Stokes left the game in the fourth inning after injuring his left wrist on his two-run double in the third inning... After the Mudcats beat the Suns at the Baseball Grounds for the second straight game, the Suns, 22-10 at home, have lost consecutive games at home for the second time this season.... The game started under 92 degree conditions and a heat index of 102. Temperatures rose to 94 during the game.