September 5, 2004

Zebulon, NC - Mike McNutt pitched seven strong innings while Josh Willingham cracked a record-setting homer leading Carolina to a 6-5 victory over the Jacksonville Suns at Five County Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

McNutt (W, 4-1) worked seven-plus innings in his final outing before heading to the Arizona Fall League next month, allowing five runs. McNutt, however, allowed just one run on three hits over the first seven innings before the first four hitters reached to start the eighth.

Willingham, who entered the game tied for the single-season club home run record with Mark Johnson and Jason Stokes, clubbed a pitch from Glenn Bott (L, 4-11) into the wind over the left field wall for a two-run homer in the seventh inning.

Ryan Minor doubled in two runs in the first inning for a 2-0 Mudcats lead. Jimmy Goelz, who walked three times, walked with the bases loaded in the fourth to force in a run. Jacksonville pitchers walked 11 batters.

Rex Rundgren singled home a run in the sixth to push Carolina's lead to 4-1.

Jason Pearson retired one of two batters he faced in the eighth inning before Randy Messenger (S, 21) checked in for a five-out save.

With the victory, Carolina assured itself of an over-500 half in the second half, just like the first of 2004.

The regular season closes Monday afternoon at 2:00 PM ET with Jeff Fulchino (6-5, 4.47) starting against Jacksonville's TJ Nall (8-9, 4.14).

Jacksonville 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 0 --- 5 8 0 4
Carolina 2 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 x --- 6 7 0 9

WP - McNutt (4-1)
LP - Bott (4-11)
S - Messenger (21)

HR - Willingham (24)

Time: 2:30
Att: 2,989