SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Eighth Inning Rally Seals Suns Comeback Win

June 4, 2008 - Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Suns (28-32) spoiled an outstanding start from Mobile's Matt Torra with a three run eighth inning, sealing a 3-2 Wednesday afternoon comeback victory over the Mobile BayBears (24-36) in front of 2,573 at the Baseball Grounds.

With the win, the Suns took the series against Mobile three games to two and now lead the season series against the BayBears 6-4. The victory also improved the Suns to 2-24 when trailing after seven innings.

Mobile struggled early against Jacksonville starter Jesus Castillo, finally recording their first hit in the fourth inning as Rusty Ryal singled. Following a Bryan Byrne hit and Orlando Mercado fly out, Frank Curreri singled to right field scoring Ryal for a 1-0 Mobile lead.

The BayBears added a second run against Castillo in the sixth inning, when Bryan Byrne's two-out double scored Ryal for a second time, opening a 2-0 Mobile advantage.

Suns reliever Tanyon Sturtze dealt a perfect seventh inning before Scott Elbert made his return from 2007 shoulder surgery with a one-walk eighth inning to hold the BayBears offense behind Castillo.

Jacksonville struggled throughout the game against Mobile starter Matt Torra, recording only three scattered hits with one walk over the first seven innings.

The Suns finally broke through in the eighth inning against the right-hander as Torra misplayed a Gabriel Gutierrez grounder, losing control on the pitch to the first baseman for an error with one out. In a pinch hitting role for third baseman Aldolfo Gonzalez, veteran infielder Mark Bellhorn stepped out of the dugout and belted a two-run homerun into the right field bleachers to tie the game 2-2. The homerun was Bellhorn's first with Jacksonville.

After the homerun and a Shane Justis groundout, Ivan DeJesus, Jr., Adam Godwin and James Tomlin singled, Tomlin's hit scoring DeJesus to give the Suns a 3-2 lead.

Zach Hammes entered to deal a perfect ninth inning to preserve the victory.

Scott Elbert (1-0) picked up the win for the Suns in his return to regular action for the first time since labrum surgery last June. Matt Torra (4-5) fell in the tough-luck loss, while going the complete eight innings for Mobile. Hammes (1) saved the game for Jacksonville.

The Suns have Thursday off and begin a series Friday night at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C. against the Carolina Mudcats (Marlins). Fans can follow the action in Jacksonville on AM 930 The Fox or online at jaxsuns.com.

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