Mudcats fall to Jacksonville

Published in Sports on July 5, 2007 1:48 PM

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ZEBULON -- Anthony Raglani brought some extra fireworks to Five County Stadium on Wednesday evening, but he didn't share with host Carolina.

The Jacksonville outfielder clubbed two solo home runs, in the second and ninth innings, during the Suns' 5-2 victory. Raglani has 14 homers and 49 RBI this season.

Catcher Alberto Concepcion also ripped a solo shot, his eighth of the year.

Gaby Hernandez, the Florida Marlins' pitcher of the month for June, scattered eight hits and gave up three earned runs in seven innings for the Mudcats. But Hernandez (4-8) didn't get much run support.

Third baseman Lee Mitchell accounted for Carolina's two runs -- a second-inning play at the plate and a ninth-inning, solo home run. The Mudcats managed just six hits and stranded several runners in scoring position.

It was the series opener.

Tuesday evening, Carolina was three outs away from claiming a four-game sweep of Chattanooga at AT&T Field. But Jay Bruce doubled off the left field wall in the ninth inning and the Lookouts prevailed 7-6.

The loss snapped the Mudcats' season-high, five-game win streak.

After working a perfect eighth inning, Scott Nestor (1-3) fanned the first two batters of the ninth before walking Adam Rosales. Rosales swiped second base and appeared to be stranded when Drew Anderson grounded toward first baseman Grant Psomas.

The ball caromed off the base and over Psomas and Rosales scored for the 6-6 tie. Chris Mobley relieved Nestor and Bruce smashed Mobley's first offering into left field.

Mitchell hit his team-leading 15th homer in the fourth inning as Carolina overcame a 3-1 deficit. The bomb was Mitchell's fourth in five games.