Jacksonville beats Mudcats 6-3

Published in Sports on April 18, 2006 2:01 PM

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ZEBULON -- The Jacksonville Suns batted around in the top of the ninth inning, thanks to just one hit and four walks to defeat the Carolina Mudcats 6-3 at Five County Stadium on Tuesday night.

Carolina (5-7) took a 3-2 lead into the ninth before the Suns (6-6) loaded the bases with none out against closer Chris Mobley (0-2).

Taylor Tankersley relieved Mobley, but hit a batter to force in the tying run, then walked two straight to force in runs for a 5-3 deficit. Sergio Garcia then hit a sacrifice fly to bring in another as Jacksonville tied the series one apiece.

Carolina loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, but Rex Rundgren flew out to end the game.

The Mudcats went ahead 1-0 in the first, scoring an unearned run against starter Justin Orenduff on a throwing error by second baseman Tony Abreu trying to double up Ryan Bear at first base, allowing Rundgren to score.

The lead swelled to 3-0 in the fourth inning on a run-scoring single by starting pitcher Adam Bostick and then a groundball by Alejandro DeAza.

Bostick took a one-hit shutout into the sixth before the Suns closed the gap on an RBI double by Justin Ruggiano and a single by Brad Cresse.

Six Mudcats pitchers combined to walk a season-high 10 batters.

James Russ will start the middle game of the series on Wednesday night against Heath Totten at 7:15 p.m.