Suns pitcher Jesus Rodriguez (1-1) pitched six innings of one-hit baseball in just his second Double-A start, allowing just a third-inning double to John Raynor. He finished with eight strikeouts to lead the Suns.
Both teams remained three games back in their respective Southern League divisions -- the Mudcats (8-8) in the North behind Tennessee, Jacksonville (8-8) in the South behind Mississippi.
The Suns took a 1-0 lead in the second against Brett Sinkbeil (3-8) on a single by Adolfo Gonzalez. The Suns added two more against Sinkbeil in the sixth on a run-scoring hit by Russell Mitchell and a sacrifice fly by Gonzalez.
After falling behind 5-0 heading into the eighth, Carolina made a run at the Suns' bullpen. After Gaby Sanchez's two-out double scored two runs in the eighth, the Mudcats brought the go-ahead run to the plate in the ninth against closer Eduardo Sierra.
Raynor and Brad Davis, who entered after Cameron Maybin appeared to pull a muscle in his lower back, recorded outs, however, to end the game.
The Mudcats return home today to host the Tennessee Smokies at 7:15 p.m.
FOUR ALL-STAR STARTERS
Northern Division All-Star Manager Matt Raleigh has unveiled his starting lineup for the 2008 Southern League All-Star Game to be held at Five County Stadium on Monday, July 14th.
All four Carolina Mudcats All-Star position players made the starting lineup -- Raynor in left field, batting second; Chris Coghlan at second base, batting third; Sanchez at first, batting sixth; and Mayin in center field, batting seventh.
Chattanooga left-handed pitcher Ben Jukich will start on the mound.
Huntsville right fielder Michael Brantley will bat leadoff and play right field. West Tenn's Michael Wilson, who is tied for the league lead with 19 home runs, will bat fourth, followed by Huntsville catcher Angel Salome.
Huntsville shortstop Alcides Escobar will hit eighth, and Chattanooga third baseman Eric Eymann will bat ninth.