SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Suns Split Doubleheader in Birmingham

Published on June 10, 2013 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Jacksonville Suns (32-29) won the first of two games played against the Birmingham Barons (40-24) on Monday by a score of 7-2, but fell in the nightcap 7-3 as the Barons clinched a first half North division title.

The first of the two contests was a continuation of a game suspended after just an inning and a half on Sunday due to rain in the Birmingham area.

The Suns entered Monday's first contest leading 3-1 in the bottom of the second thanks to a home run and three RBI's from Jake Marisnick during the inning and a half played on Sunday. The score remained the same until the eighth inning, as right-hander Sam Dyson (3-5) pitched five scoreless innings for Jacksonville in what technically served as Dyson's first relief appearance of the season.

Dyson took over for Nathan Eovaldi, who had pitched just one inning on Sunday as part of a Major League rehab assignment before the rain forced the game's suspension. Dyson surrendered just one hit over his five innings, striking out three and walking one batter.

Meanwhile, Jacob Petricka tossed three scoreless frames for Birmingham to keep the Barons within striking distance. Petricka had subbed in to start Monday's continuation in place of Stephen McCray (6-4) Josh Romanski followed with two more spotless innings of his own, but the left-hander eventually stumbled in the eighth.

The Suns built the rally that extended their lead beginning with Kyle Jensen's leadoff double in the eighth. Mark Canha followed with a walk, and Ryan Fisher singled to load the bases. Zack Cox's sacrifice fly made it a three-run Suns lead, and Danny Black followed several batters later with a bases loaded triple, plating three runs and pushing the Jacksonville advantage to 7-1.

Birmingham's Miguel Gonzalez homered off Arquimedes Caminero in the bottom of the eighth with no one on base to close out the scoring in the first game of the doubleheader.

Marisnick's hot streak continued in the second game of the twin bill, which lasted just seven innings due to the previous game earlier in the afternoon. The Suns center fielder hit another home run and finished 6-for-9 with the pair of homers and 5 RBI's between the two contests.

It wasn't enough for the Suns, however, as Birmingham rang up five runs against Suns starter Rob Waite (0-1) in the bottom of the second inning and never trailed. The Suns got as close as 6-2, but had a fifth inning rally thwarted when Kyle Jensen was called out on strikes with a pair of runners on base and two outs. Suns manager Andy Barkett was ejected for arguing the call.

The victory for the Barons gave Birmingham a first half Southern League North division title, while preventing the Suns from taking sole possession of first place in the Southern League South.

With the current five-game series tied at two games apiece, the Suns will go for the series victory on Tuesday behind right-hander Robert Morey (2-2, 3.50). The Barons will counter with right-hander Erik Johnson (5-2, 2.26). First pitch is set for 8:05 p.m. ET.

Suns fans can listen to Tuesday'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 7:50 p.m. E.T. with the UF and Shands Suns Pre-Game Show.

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Southern League Stories from June 10, 2013


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