Sunday, June 12, 2005

L 7-2

Jacksonville, FL --- Russell Mitchell's first Double-A hit opened up a tight game in the fourth inning as the Jacksonville Suns dropped Carolina into a first-place tie with seven games remaining in the first half thanks to a 7-2 victory over the Mudcats on Sunday at the Baseball Grounds.

Mitchell, batting with the bases loaded against Luke Lockwood (L, 2-1), drilled a right-centerfield double to clear the bases.  Mitchell was hitting only due to the ejection of third baseman Joel Guzman the previous inning, who was called out at third base for leaving third base too early on a flyball hit by Sergio Garcia.

The Suns (34-29), who overtook the lead in the Southern Division with the win, assumed a 2-0 lead in the first inning with an infield single by catcher Russell Martin and a bases loaded walk to Tydus Meadows. 

Carolina (40-21), which fell into an identical tie for the Northern Division lead with West Tenn, scored a run in the second against Jonathan Broxton (W, 4-2) as James Shanks scored on a passed ball by Martin.  Shanks was appearing for the first time since being hit in the helmet on May 31st. 

West Tenn's series finale with Mississippi was rained out, and the game will be made up in Pearl, MS later this week.

Lockwood allowed 11 hits over six innings to absorb his first loss as a Marlins farmhand. 

Jeremy Hermida had four of Carolina's eight hits in the game, three singles and a double.  Hermida also threw out Todd Donovan attempting to score in the second inning.

Kevin Cave and Chris Resop each tossed a scoreless inning in relief.

Peter Bauer will make his first appearance with Carolina on Monday night, as the home-and-home, seven-game series with the Suns continues at Five County.  Bauer will be opposed by Chad Billingsley (5-3, 4.12) at 7:15 PM ET.

CAROLINA            0 1 0   0 0 1   0 0 0   ---   2   8   1   5

JACKSONVILLE    2 0 0   4 1 0   0 0 x   ---   7  12  0   9

WP - Broxton (4-2)

LP - Lockwood (2-1)

S - None.

HR - None.

Time:  2:35

Att:  3,281