Suns' comeback seals Thursday victory at Tennessee
Sevierville, Tenn. - In a back and forth affair that featured four lead changes, the Jacksonville Suns scored five runs in two different innings to defeat the Tennessee Smokies Thursday night at Smokies Park by the score of 10-9.
Tennessee opened the scoring in the third inning off of Jacksonville starter Heath Totten as Danny Richar tripled home a run and Miguel Montero singled home Richar to make it a 2-0 Smokies lead.
Jacksonville tied the game in the fifth inning as an RBI walk from Adam Greenberg and a sacrifice fly from Chin-Lung Hu made it a 2-2 affair. With two on and two out, Tydus Meadows smashed an opposite field homerun to right-centerfield that opened a fifth inning 5-2 Jacksonville lead.
The Smokies began to chip away at the Suns lead in the bottom of the fifth as Jerry Gil and Miguel Montero drove home runs with singles to cut the Jacksonville advantage to 5-4. The Smokies completed the comeback in the sixth inning as Agustin Murillo singled home a run while later scoring on an error as Tennessee overtook the Suns by the score of 6-5.
In the sixth inning Tennessee leftfielder Mark Reynolds belted a three-run homerun to open up a 9-5 lead, his second homerun in as many days in Tennessee. Reynolds was promoted to Tennessee from High-A Lancaster (California League) after hitting 23 homeruns this season.
The Suns began their second comeback in the eighth inning as with one out, seven consecutive batters reached safely on singles, walks or hit by pitches. Justin Ruggiano contributed an RBI single while Adam Greenberg was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Chin-Lung Hu battled through an extremely long at-bat with foul balls and a full count with a cracked bat single and two RBI. Tydus Meadows then drove home another run with an opposite field single. After all of the offense, Jacksonville scored five runs on five hits and overtook Tennessee by the score of 10-9.
Jacksonville reliever Ben Kozlowski picked up the victory to improve to 1-0 while Tennessee reliever Bill White fell to 0-1 in the loss. Suns closer Mark Alexander saved his 21st game of the season.
Tennessee and Jacksonville continue the series with game three Friday with Suns LHP Scott Elbert facing Tennessee RHP Ross Ohlendorf. Fans can follow the action on AM 930 The Fox or online at jaxsuns.com or milb.com.
Montgomery, AL --- Andy Sonnanstine won his sixth consecutive start, fanning a career-high 11 batters as Montgomery edged Carolina 3-2 at Riverwalk Stadium on Thursday night.
Sonnanstine (W, 9-6) defeated the team which defeated him last, working seven innings in leading the Biscuits (13-9) to evening the five game series 1-1.
Carolina (9-13) assumed a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI-double from Edgar Gonzalez, which scored former Biscuit Frank Moore from first base. Moore, who had singled to open the game, played in Montgomery in its inaugural season in 2004.
Montgomery pushed ahead 2-1 in the first against Carolina starter James Russ (L, 5-7) with a pair of runs, then advanced the lead to 3-1 on a deep homer to center from Michael Coleman in the third.
After a Brett Carroll double scaled the top of the left field wall in the fourth to slice the deficit to 3-2, the Mudcats squandered a pair of innings where the first two batters reached.
Jean Machi (S, 9) worked a quiet ninth inning to record his ninth save.
Trevor Hutchinson makes his first Double-A start since late 2004 when he climbs the mound on Friday night at 8:05 PM ET.
Mobile, AL (July 13th)- The Diamond Jaxx continued their post All-Star Break offensive slump on Thursday night as they managed just three hits in a 3-1 loss to the Mobile BayBears before a crowd of 2251 fans at Hank Aaron Stadium.
Jack Cassel (1-0) pitched seven brilliant innings in the win. He allowed a run on just two hits, walking two while striking out eight. Dale Thayer came on to pitch a scoreless ninth inning for his 16th save of the season.
Stephen Smitherman led the Mobile offense with two RBI's on the night. Dustin Delucchi and Vince Sinisi had two hits each to highlight an eight hit attack.
Sean Gallagher suffered the loss, dropping his record to 4-2 on the season. Gallagher allowed two runs on five hits in five innings of work. He walked six and struckout five. Chris Walker drove in the lone run before leaving the game with an undisclosed injury. Gary Cates, Tony Richie and Brandon Sing had a hit each to account for the Diamond Jaxx three hits on the night.
The two teams will play game three of the series Friday night at 7:05 CDT. Left-hander Chris shaver (5-5 2.20) gets the start for the Diamond Jaxx. Mobile will counter with lefty Sean Thompson (3-7 3.45).
Beer, bobbleheads and a concert at Baseball Grounds this week
Jacksonville Suns
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Suns, first-half champs of the Southern League's South Division and owners of one of the best records in all of baseball, will be back at the Baseball Grounds this coming Tuesday to host the Chattanooga Lookouts in a five-game set.
The week kicks off with TogetherRxAccess.com Night and Fifty Cent Family Feast! TogetherRxAccess will be on hand with prizes and information, all while fans will be enjoying fifty cent hot dogs, peanuts and ice cream treats, compliments of Hampton Farms, Blue Bell Ice Cream, Folio Weekly and KISS FM.
Baseball in the sunshine returns on Wednesday for a Businessperson's Special. Fans can get a box seat, hot dog and large beverage of choice for $13.50, courtesy of AM690 WOKV.
The most popular night in town is back again with Thursday Night Throwdown. Fans will enjoy Buds for a Buck, sponsored by Budweiser and Planet Radio 107.3FM.
On Friday, it's the second Family Faith Night of the season. Larry the Cucumber and Bob the Tomato from the Veggietales will be on hand for this special night devoted to youth ministry. After the game, fans will enjoy NAPA Friday Family Fireworks, followed by a special concert by Christian hard rock band New Method, sponsored by WJXT TV-4 and The Promise. Earplugs will be available for adults not accustomed to loud music. Also on Friday, fans can get two free tickets by donating a pint of blood to the Florida-Georgia Blood Alliance on-site before the game.
The homestand wraps up on Saturday with the final Team of the Year bobblehead giveaway. The first 3,000 fans will receive a limited edition bobblehead of former Suns ace and current Dodger starter Chad Billingsley, sponsored by Everbank and The Eagle 96.9FM. This is the last of a four-piece collectors set. The David Sunflower Seeds mobile tour will also be at the ballpark on Saturday with free samples!
Tickets for the Suns entire five-game homestand and the rest of the regular season are currently available by calling the Suns ticket office at 358-2846 or by ordering online at www.jaxsuns.com. Season tickets, group nights and limited sponsorships are still available.
July 18 Vs. Chattanooga - 7:05 Fifty-cent Family Feast- Fifty-cent hot dogs, peanuts and ice cream treats. Sponsored by Blue Bell Ice Cream, Hampton Farms and Folio Weekly and KISS FM.
July 19 Vs. Chattanooga - 1:05 Businessperson Special - $13.50 buys a box seat, large hot dog and large beverage of choice. Sponsored by AM690 WOKV.
July 20 Vs. Chattanooga - 7:05 Thursday Night Throwdown. Enjoy Buds for a Buck! Sponsored by Budweiser and Planet Radio 107.3.
July 21 Vs. Chattanooga - 7:05 Family Faith Night! The second night of fun and fellowship with special rates for church groups! A special faith-based concert featuring Christian hard rock band New Method will follow the game on the field (earplugs will be provided) and the VeggieTales will be at the ballpark! Sponsored by WJXT TV-4 and The Promise. After the game, but before the concert, Family Fireworks, courtesy of NAPA Auto Parts and your local NAPA Autocare Center Dealers. The Florida-Georgia Blood Alliance will be on site. Get two tickets for donating a pint of blood.
July 22 Vs. Chattanooga - 7:05 Chad Billingsley Team of the Year Bobblehead Giveaway! The first 3,000 fans will get a bobblehead of Chad Billingsley, the ace of last year's championship pitching staff! The last in a four-bobblehead set! Sponsored by EverBank and The Eagle 96.9FM. Plus, the David Sunflower Seeds mobile tour will be on hand with free samples!
Suns offense explodes, Elbert solid on hill as Suns defeat Smokies
Sevierville, Tenn. - The Jacksonville Suns offense scored six runs on fourteen hits while starter Scott Elbert pitched six shutout innings as the Suns held off the Tennessee Smokies by the score of 6-3 Friday night at Smokies Park.
Suns starter Scott Elbert made his second Double-A start, and in six innings of work did not allow any hits. The Smokies could only muster a first inning hit off of Elbert, but were unable to put anything across on Elbert even though he walked five Smokies. The southpaw struck out six.
Elbert's offense began his support in the third inning as Suns shortstop Chin-Lung Hu belted his second homerun of the season, a solo shot to left-centerfield that opened the scoring at 1-0 Suns.
Jacksonville added more runs on Tennessee starter Ross Ohlendorf in the fifth inning as Hu doubled off of the leftfield wall, a ball that missed by only inches of being his second homerun. The hit plated Jacksonville's second run of the game. Later in the inning, Justin Ruggiano drove home two runs on a single to extend the Suns lead to 4-0. The Suns added another run in the sixth inning as Tony Abreu singled home Sergio Garcia to make it a 5-0 lead.
Tennessee got on the scoreboard on Jacksonville reliever Wesley Wright in the seventh inning as Alberto Gonzalez drove home the first run on a double and Jesus Cota drove home another on a sacrifice fly to cut the Suns lead to 5-2.
The two teams traded runs in the eighth inning as Abreu singled home another run for Jacksonville while Agustin Murillo drove home one for Tennessee to finish the scoring at 6-3.
Scott Elbert improved to 2-0 in the victory while Ross Ohlendorf fell to 7-5 in the loss for Tennessee. Mark Alexander saved his 22nd game of the season, the second-best save mark in the Southern League.
Chin-Lung Hu finished the game 4-5 with a homerun and two RBI. Justin Ruggiano went 3-4 with two RBI.
The Suns and Smokies meet for game four of the series Saturday at 7:15 with Suns RHP Spike Lundberg facing Tennessee LHP Greg Smith. Fans can follow the action on AM 930 The Fox or online at jaxsuns.com or milb.com.
After scoring 16 runs over the past two games, the Lookouts were unable to push a run across the plate tonight, as they were shutout 1-0 by the Birmingham Barons. Both pitching staffs were stellar, however, one long ball did the damage.
Barons' starter Lance Broadway pitched seven strong innings, allowing five hits, while striking out four. Broadway benefited from a fifth inning home run off the bat of Thomas Collaro. Broadway's record is now an even 6-6.
Lookouts' starter Tyler Pelland made yet another outstanding outing. He went six innings and allowed the one home run, six hits total, while striking out two. Lookouts' relievers David Shafer and Jim Abbott pitched the final three frames, and did not allow a single hit.
The Lookouts will try to get their bats going again tomorrow as they face the Barons at 7:15. The first 1,000 kids, 12 and under, will receive a Lookouts bat, courtesy of US-101 and Dr. Pepper.
MOBILE, AL- The BayBears won their fourth straight game Friday, beating West Tenn 3-2. With the game tied at two in the eighth, Carlos Vazquez threw a wild pitch and Luis Cruz scored from third base. Geoff Jones walked the first two batters of the ninth inning, but Bubba Nelson came in to get three outs and leave the runners on base. Nelson picked up his second save.
Sean Thompson pitched six innings for the BayBears, allowing two earned runs on three hits. Thompson struck out four batters and walked two. Paul Abraham (3-4) was the winning pitcher, throwing two scoreless innings and allowing just one hit. The BayBears had five hits as a team, including two by newcomer Jeremy Cleveland. Brett Dowdy was 1-for-3 with a walk leading off for the BayBears Friday.
Saturday the BayBears have Jose Oyervidez (2-9) on the mound against West Tenn?s Juan Mateo (6-4). All BayBears games can be heard on 1480 AM WABB, Comcast Cable Channel 18, and on the internet via mobilebaybears.com.
MONTGOMERY - Elliot Johnson's second hit of the fifth inning, an RBI single, capped off a six-run explosion that catapulted the Montgomery Biscuits (14-9, 50-42) past the Carolina Mudcats (9-14, 41-52), 7-1, on Friday night at Riverwalk Stadium.
The six-run fifth was the largest inning for Montgomery all year long and came in the midst of a 15-hit output that tied a season-high for the offense.
An RBI single from Matthew Maniscalco in the second inning put the home team on the board early with a 1-0 lead.
Three innings later, the Biscuits erased any thoughts of a pitcher's duel between Montgomery starter Jason Cromer and Carolina starter Trevor Hutchinson.
Elliot Johnson led off the fateful fifth with a double to left off of Hutchinson (0-1). Johnny Raburn beat out a bunt for an infield hit with Johnson taking third, allowing the speedster to score on a Gabriel Martinez sacrifice fly. Michael Coleman singled home Raburn for the second run of the inning, quickly followed up by a Ryan Christianson single and a Jason Pridie RBI double that sent Hutchinson to the showers.
Ryan Knox wasted no time in greeting new reliever Chris Mobley with a base hit up the middle, scoring both Christianson and Pridie for a 6-0 Biscuits lead. After a Jeremy Owens strikeout, two consecutive singles by Maniscalco and Johnson produced the final Montgomery run. At last, Mobley retired Raburn on a groundout to second to mercifully end the inning.
Biscuits starter Cromer (1-1) had none of Hutchinson's troubles, skating through six innings with just three hits allowed, striking out five Mudcats batters along the way.
In the seventh, Carolina avoided the shutout, thanks to a Kevin Randel run-scoring single off of reliever Jeremy Flanagan.
Mike Prochaska took over for Flanagan to throw a perfect eighth, before Brian Henderson wrapped up the night in style, striking out the side in the ninth to end the game.
Having won the last two games in the five-game series at Montgomery, the Biscuits look for the series victory on Saturday night at 7:05. Righthander Jim Magrane (10-7, 3.27) will take the mound for the Biscuits, opposed by Carolina's Jose Garcia (2-2, 2.67).
Mobile, AL (July 14th)- Luis Cruz scored on a wild pitch with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Mobile BayBears a 3-2 win over the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx before a Friday night crowd of 5462 fans at Hank Aaron Stadium.
Carlos Vazquez (1-3) allowed a leadoff walk to Stephen Smitherman. Cruz hit a ground ball to third that forced Smitherman at second. Cruz beat the relay throw to first. After pinch-hitter Chris O'Riordan struckout, Vazquez hit Colt Morton and walked Jeremy Cleveland to load the bases. Vazquez then uncorked a wild pitch, scoring Cruz with the winning run. Cleveland led the BayBears attack with two hits, a run scored and a RBI.
The Diamond Jaxx had a chance to tie the game or take the lead in the ninth inning. They had two on with nobody out but Bubba Nelson came in to retire the next three batters to preserve the win for Paul Abraham (3-4). It was Nelson's second save of the season.
Jake Fox homered to lead the Diamond Jaxx four hit attack. Through the first three games of the series, the Diamond Jaxx 3-5 hitters are a combined 1-35 (.029).
Game four takes place on Saturday night at 7:05 CDT. Righty Juan Mateo (6-4 2.50) gets the start for the Diamond Jaxx. Mobile will counter with fellow righty Jose Oyervidez (2-9 4.32).
Southern League News 7/15
Southern League News 7/15
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