Big inning dooms Mudcats

Published in Sports on August 2, 2007 1:48 PM

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ZEBULON -- Jacksonville erupted for six runs in the seventh inning and turned back Carolina 11-8 at Five County Stadium on Wednesday evening.

The Suns (27-13) entered the sixth with a 5-4 advantage. Mudcats reliever Scott Nestor faced control problems, walking two consecutive batters before giving up a three-run homer to Alberto Concepcion.

Jacksonville kept the inning going with four straight two-out hits to end the inning with 11 batters being reaching the batters box.

Carolina did not give up as second baseman Eric Riggs cut the deficit by over half with one swing of the bat. Riggs faced Suns closer Ramon Troncoso in the eighth with the bases loaded when he rocketed a shot just over the right field wall. It was Riggs' second grand slam in three weeks.

The Mudcats benefited from a home run earlier in the game, a solo shot by first baseman Grant Psomas in the second.

Carolina pulled within 5-4 in the fourth inning. Psomas flied home Lee Mitchell who led the fourth with a triple. An inning later, Chase Lambin increased his hitting streak to nine games and got a two-RBI double to make the score 5-4.

Jacksonville reliever Mark Alexander picked up his fourth win in relief. Mudcats starter Jesus Silva lasted just 32/3 innings and remained winless in four decisions.

The Mudcats begin a five-game series Friday against West Tenn. Game time is 7:15 p.m.