Jimerson's near cycle lifts West Tenn

Published in Sports on August 6, 2007 1:48 PM

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ZEBULON -- Charlton Jimerson fell a triple shy of hitting for the cycle and West Tenn defeated Carolina 11-4 on a humid, muggy Sunday afternoon at Five County Stadium.

Jimerson clubbed four hits and drove in five runs for the DiamondJaxx, who ended a six-game losing streak against Carolina. Jimerson slugged his Southern League-leading 22nd home run on the final pitch from Mudcats starter Gaby Hernandez (7-9) in the fourth inning.

Hernandez, who entered the game with the league's ninth-best ERA, threw 63 pitches through two laborious innings as the heat index surpassed the 100-degree mark. Hernandez allowed seven runs and walked five.

Trailing 9-1 in the fifth, Carolina drilled a pair of homers against West Tenn starter Justin Thomas (4-7). Alejandro DeAza hit a home run to right in his third game of his major league rehab assignment, while Ryan Bear hit a two-run shot to draw the Mudcats within 9-4.

Carolina fell to 21-22 in second-half play and five games behind first-place Huntsville in the North Division. The teams continue their series tonight. Game time is 7:15 p.m.