Mathis' Big Night Paces Suns in 10-3 Win
May 9, 2013 - Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jeff Mathis hit a three-run home run and notched six RBI's for the Jacksonville Suns, who took care of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Thursday by a final score of 10-3.
Mathis, with the Suns (18-12) on a Major League rehab assignment, finished his night 3-for-5 with the six runs driven in, representing a Suns season high in the latter category. As a team, Jacksonville recorded 12 hits in the victory over the Blue Wahoos (12-19) at Bragan Field at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
"He's on his road back to Miami, and this was another step," said Suns manager Andy Barkett following the game. "It was nice for him to have a big night tonight."
Mathis came to the plate in the bottom of the first inning with two runners on and promptly crushed a pitch from Pensacola starter Daniel Renken (1-3) over the left field wall to put the Suns ahead early 3-0. Two innings later, with Jacksonville's lead now at 3-1, Mathis singled in to center off Renken to score Ryan Fisher and put the Suns back up by three runs.
Suns starter Matt Neil (1-2) earned his first victory by throwing five and a third innings for Jacksonville, allowing two runs (both earned) on seven hits, striking out five and walking a pair. Neil was lifted with one out in the sixth after allowing his second run, but his successor Rett Varner escaped the frame without any further damage done to Jacksonville's 4-2 lead.
"[Neil] battled, but elevated some pitches," Barkett said. "Got away with some pitches. Overall it was a solid outing, but we'd like to get him a little more down in the zone."
Kyle Jensen's lone hit of the game drove in the Suns' fifth run of the contest in the sixth, and Jacksonville would later put the game out of reach in the eighth. Jake Marisnick's bouncing ball into center plated two runs to push Jacksonville's lead to 7-2, and Mathis' two-run double extended the advantage to seven.
A sacrifice fly from Mark Canha ended the Suns' scoring for the evening, while the Blue Wahoos added their third and final run in the top of the ninth to round out the scoring.
Ryan Fisher's third inning double ahead of Mathis' single was Fisher's first ever hit at the Double-A level. Christian Yelich also extended his Southern League-best hitting streak to fifteen games with a double in the eighth inning.
The Suns will face the Blue Wahoos in game four of the five-game set on Friday. Jacksonville will attempt to win its third straight by sending right-hander Robert Morey (0-0, 4.15) to the hill. Pensacola, trying to avoid a third straight loss to the Suns, will counter with right-hander Josh Smith (3-3, 5.20). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
Suns fans can listen to Friday's game on the Suns Baseball Network, 94.1 WSOS-FM, or through jaxsuns.com, MiLB.com or the Suns iPhone or Android app, beginning at 6:50 p.m. with the UF and Shands Suns Pre-Game Show.
Former Atlanta Braves great and two-time National League MVP Dale Murphy will be at Bragan Field during the contest, making an appearance and signing autographs for fans, sponsored by Florida Blue and 99.1 WQIK. One lucky fan will win an autographed Dale Murphy Braves jersey. Friday is also Scout Night and Boy and Girl Scouts are invited to join in the Suns' pre-game scout parade on the field and post-game campout and midnight movie on our brand new HD Videoboard. The Blood Alliance Bloodmobile will be at Bragan Field and the Suns encourage all fans to donate blood. The first 25 donors receive 2 tickets to the game, a hot dog and soda voucher and a special Suns gift. Fans in attendance are invited to stay after the game for the NAPA Friday Family Fireworks, presented by your NAPA AutoCare center dealers.
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Southern League Stories from May 9, 2013
- Suns Bury Wahoos 10-3 - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Mathis' Big Night Paces Suns in 10-3 Win - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Jungmann, Homers Lead Stars to Victory - Huntsville Stars
- Stars Win Second Straight Over Generals Thursday - Jackson Generals
- Late Rally Falls Short for Lookouts - Chattanooga Lookouts
- RHP Mark Rogers Returns to Brewers - Huntsville Stars
- Smokies Stumble in 9-7 Loss to Barons Thursday Afternoon - Tennessee Smokies
- Barons Make It 10 in a Row with Win over Smokies - Birmingham Barons
- Lee to Gwinnett, Woolley to Mississippi - Mississippi Braves
- Fisher transferred to Jacksonville from Jupiter; Ojala place on temporary inactive list - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- M-Braves Homestand Highlights May 12-21 - Mississippi Braves
- Generals Game Information (Thursday, May 9) - Jackson Generals
- Barons Return To Regions Field for Five Games Against Biscuits - Birmingham Barons
- INF Anthony Giansanti joins Tennessee from Single-A Daytona; OF Johermyn Chavez placed on DL - Tennessee Smokies
- Jungmann Activated - Huntsville Stars
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