SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

11-run 8th inning dooms Suns

August 28, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


JACKSON, Tenn. – The Suns gave up 11 runs in the eighth inning, negating a three-run lead in a 12-4 loss to the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx in front of 2,277 fans Thursday at Pringles Park.

The Suns (64-71 overall, 33-33 second half) have four games remaining at Tennessee and must win them all to remain in the playoff picture. Tennessee is tied for first place with Carolina, behind whom the Suns trail 2½ games in the standings.

In the eighth, reliever Brian Steffek hit a batter and then gave up six consecutive singles. He recorded an out, then allowed a seventh hit before giving way to reliever Elvin Nina. Nina allowed hits to the first five batters he faced before ending the inning on a double play. The Diamond Jaxx (62-72, 28-36) sent 15 batters to the plate in the eighth, smacked 12 hits an issued their greatest one-inning output of the season.

Steffek (1-4) allowed eight earned runs to earn the loss. It spoiled a good outing from Suns starter Will McCrotty. He allowed one unearned run over six innings, scattering four hits.

Derek Michaelis hit a 450-foot home run over the 60-foot-high right center field scoreboard in the sixth to give the Suns a 4-1 lead. Reggie Abercrombie and Tarrik Brock each had two hits and an RBI to pace the Suns.

In his first game returning to West Tenn from an assignment at Class A Daytona, Russ Rohlicek (2-3) earned the victory in relief.

Right-hander Greg Bauer (6-5, 2.81 ERA) is scheduled to make a spot start against Tennessee Smokies righty Nick Stocks (9-8, 4.95) at 7:15 p.m. Friday at Smokies Park.

SUNS SPOTS: The Suns were 49-6 when leading after seven innings this season. ...The 11-run output is the most in an inning against the Suns this season and likely in quite a while.

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