Barons Blank Suns at Bragan, 3-0
Published on May 25, 2013 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Suns (26-19) were shut out for the just the fourth time in 2013 on Saturday night, as the Birmingham Barons (30-18) won their second straight game at Bragan Field by a score of 3-0.
The Suns were blanked for the first time since April 23 at home against Chattanooga, falling to seven games above .500 in front of 5,452 fans at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
Right-handed starter Robert Morey (1-1) was excellent outside of one troublesome inning, throwing a season-high seven innings and allowing just five hits. However, a three-run Barons fifth was enough to hand Morey his first loss in 2013.
"We had the one bad inning," Suns manager Andy Barkett said following the loss. "They got a clutch hit and that was the difference in the game."
Morey escaped a jam in the first inning and then proceeded to allow just one base runner over his next three frames. The Suns, however, were not able to support their starter with any offense, as Barons hurler Erik Johnson (4-2) kept Jacksonville at bay for the entirety of his seven innings on the mound. Johnson surrendered just four hits and struck out seven, while also not walking a single batter.
"That's one of the best starts I've seen in this league in three years," Barkett said. "That guy had complete control of the game, had a great tempo and threw strikes."
Birmingham finally broke through against Morey in the fifth, the only inning in the game that featured scoring from either team. Tyler Saladino doubled to lead off the frame and advanced to third two batters later on a fielder's choice. Leadoff man Marcus Semien then walked to load the bases with only one out.
Morey had a chance to escape the inning unscathed, striking out Keenyn Walker for the second out. The right-hander could not find the strike zone against the next hitter, Trayce Thompson, however, issuing a four pitch walk to force in the first run of the game.
Andy Wilkins followed with a two-run single to right, plating both Dan Wagner and Semien as the Barons took a 3-0 lead after four and half innings.
"Morey had one bad inning," Barkett said. "Other than that, he was sharp and pitched through the seventh inning. Their guy was just real good tonight."
The Suns managed just one inning with more than one base runner, putting a pair of men on against Johnson in the seventh with one out. The rally fizzled when J.T. Realmuto and Ryan Fisher each flew out, ending Jacksonville's best scoring chance of the night.
Hard-throwing right-hander Daniel Webb did not allow a hit in either the eighth or ninth innings for Birmingham, earning his second save of the year.
The Suns will look to end their brief two-game losing streak on Sunday in game four of the five-game series behind right-hander Bryan Evans, who will make his second start of the season. Evans took the loss in his first outing in Mississippi, lasting just three innings and surrendering seven earned runs. The Barons will counter with right-hander Nick McCully (3-1, 3.67).
Suns fans can listen to Sunday'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 6:35 p.m. ET with Suns Sunday on the UF and Shands Suns Pre-Game Show. The game will also be televised on The CW 17 in Jacksonville in high definition, with the voice of the Suns Roger Hoover and Suns president and owner Peter Bragan Jr. on the call.
Sunday Night the Holiday Weekend Continues as the Suns Play a Special Memorial Day Weekend Sunday Night Game at 7:05 p.m. and Salute the Military with a Special Memorial Day Weekend Post-Game Fireworks Show, courtesy of Southern Ford Dealers, CW17 and 99.1 WQIK. Also the latest and hottest rides from your local Southern Ford Dealers will be on hand.
Southern League Stories from May 25, 2013
- Wahoos Come up Short, Fall to Lookouts 3-1 - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Offense Silenced in 7-2 Loss to Huntsville Saturday Night - Knoxville Smokies
- Davis, Jungmann Carry Stars to Victory - Huntsville Stars
- Offense Struggles in Loss to Jackson - Montgomery Biscuits
- Lookouts win fifth consecutive victory - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Barons Blank Suns at Bragan, 3-0 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Wahoos Come up Short, Fall to Lookouts 3-1 - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Landry's Homer Backs Ruffin's Strong Pitching In Win - Jackson Generals
- Johnson Dominant in Shutout Win over Suns - Birmingham Barons
- BayBears Thank Fans for Sell Out - Mobile BayBears
- Generals Game Information (Saturday, May 25) - Jackson Generals
- Smokies Announce Series Of Roster Moves Saturday - Knoxville Smokies
- Weisenburger Activated - Huntsville Stars
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
