SOUTHERN LEAGUE

Carolina 9, Mississippi 3 (Carolina leads the best-of-5 series 2-1)

Mudcats righthander Brett Sinkbeil pitched well for Carolina, striking out five over six scoreless innings and allowing just two hits and two walks. But it was the Mudcats’ bats that really came alive this game. Everyone in the lineup had at least one hit as Carolina combined for nine runs on 16 hits. First baseman Gaby Sanchez went 3-for-5 with a home run, left fielder John Raynor went 2-for-4 with two doubles and Sinkbeil even helped himself out, getting as many base hits as he allowed, in a 2-for-3 night at the plate. A lot of the damage came off of Braves righthander Tommy Hanson. After a solid season, Hanson got roughed up last night, giving up four runs on nine hits over six innings.