Jacksonville slips by Mudcats

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on August 9, 2007 1:48 PM

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Thomas Giles delivered a two-RBI, fourth-inning single and Jacksonville's defense preserved the lead in a 3-2 victory over Carolina in their series opener Wednesday evening.

Giles pulled a 3-2 pitch from starter Chris Seddon (5-8) into right field, which scored James Tomlin and Juan Gonzalez. The two-RBI shot extended the Suns' advantage to 3-0.

Blake Dewitt trotted home on Kevin Howard's opposite-field double in the opening inning against Seddon, who eventually escaped a bases-loaded jam. After getting hit by line-drive shot to the ankle, Seddon induced back-to-back groundouts to end the inning.

Jacksonville hurler Jason McDonald (5-1) earned his second triumph over Carolina with a three-strikeout, five-inning effort. Reliever Greg Miller yielded the Mudcats' lone run in the seventh when Ryan Bear singled home Chase Lambin.

Carolina (22-24) pulled within 3-2 on Eric Riggs' sacrifice fly. Miller avoided any further damage and gave the Suns their 19th victory over the Mudcats in 26 meetings this season. Jacksonville is 11-1 against Carolina at the Baseball Grounds.

The five-game series continues today.