ZEBULON -- The slugging of West Tenn right fielder Michael Wilson added to the Carolina Mudcats' miseries Friday night in Five County Stadium.
Wilson slugged a pair of home runs and drove in four runs as the Diamond Jaxx triumphed 5-1 in the Double A Southern League professional baseball game to hand Carolina its third consecutive loss and its seventh in the last eight games.
The series concludes with a contest at 6:15 this evening. The Mudcats then have Sunday off.
Friday night's game was scoreless until the third inning, when Wilson connected for his fourth 2008 homer, a solo shot off Mudcats starting pitcher William Glen.
Wilson concluded the scoring with a two-run blast in the top of the ninth against Todd Doolittle, the Mudcats' fifth pitcher. Wilson also contributed a run-scoring single in the fifth inning.
Trailing 2-0, the Mudcats (17-12) struck for their run in the fourth inning.
West Tenn starting pitcher Chris Jackson was relieved in the inning by Travis Chick with two outs.
Chick walked Brett Hayes, and Hayes promptly took second on a wild pitch. Hayes raced home on shortstop Manual Mayorson's line single to center field.
Carolina managed eight hits, including two each by center fielder Cameron Maybin and designated hitter Andrew Jenkins. The Mudcats stranded 11 baserunners.
Glen suffered his first loss after three wins.
For the Diamond Jaxx, Wilson was complemented by designated hitter Michael Saunders and left fielder Jon Nelson with two hits each.
Chick, the second of four West Tenn pitchers, picked up his second win against one loss.