Sevierville, TN - John Nelson doubled twice to score two runs as Tennessee climbed into a third place tie with Carolina thanks to a 5-2 win at Smokies Park on Monday afternoon.

Carolina (26-25) and Tennessee (26-25) are two games behind first-place Chattanooga, which was beaten 6-5 by Mobile in 14 innings.

The Mudcats, who lost for the fourth time in five games, assumed a 1-0 lead in the fourth on a single by Jeff Inglin (2-4, r, rbi, k, cs). Tennessee scored twice in the fourth against Jeff Fulchino, who was making just his second Double-A start.

Fulchino (ND, 6ip, 4h, 2r, 2er, 1w, 5k) witnessed the game tied in the seventh as Smokies third baseman Gabe Johnson threw away an inning-ending grounder to permit Inglin to score the tying run.

In the bottom half, Ryan Baker (L, 1-1, 2ip, 5h, 3r, 3er, 1w, 1k) allowed a pinch-hit single by Nate Espy to put the Smokies ahead 3-2. Tennessee scored two more in the eighth for a 5-2 lead.

Jeremy Cook (W, 1-0) earned the victory, working a season-high seven innings in his first start since April 30th. Evan Rust (S, 6) pitched two perfect innings for the save.

Carolina sends Nic Ungs (3-2, 3.83) against Tennessee's Jeremy Cummings (4-1, 3.54) Tuesday night at 7:15 PM ET.

Carolina 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 --- 2 7 1 5
Tennessee 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 2 x --- 5 9 1 6

WP - Cook (1-0)
LP - Baker (1-1)
S - Rust (6)

HR - None.

Time: 2:28
Att: 2,892

Notes: RHP Ruddy Lugo joined the Carolina Mudcats ahead of Monday's game. Lugo had eight saves with the Jupiter Hammerheads in 2004... Following the game, IF Michael Tucker was reassigned to Jupiter, with IF Billy Hall rejoining Carolina from Triple-A Albuquerque. Hall has been shuttled to Triple-A and back three times in 2004. v

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