SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Bullpen backs Billingsley

Published on July 28, 2004 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Suns guaranteed their first non-losing road trip since April with a 4-2 victory over the Chattanooga Lookouts in front of 3,118 fans Wednesday afternoon at BellSouth Park.

An error by Lookouts second baseman William Bergolla allowed Shane Victorino to reach first with one out in the sixth inning. Victorino scored on Willy Aybar's two-out double, giving the Suns a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish. The Lookouts made three errors, including a bobble by shortstop Jeff Bannon in the eighth which allowed Nick Alvarez to score an insurance run in the eighth.

The Suns got their first two runs on solo home runs by Alvarez and Victorino in the second and third innings, respectively.

Suns starter Chad Billingsley (2-0) won in his second start, cruising over the first four innings before allowing a two-run home run to Bannon in the fifth. He pitched five innings, allowing four hits, two walks and struck out seven.

The Suns' bullpen continued its mastery, holding a one and two-run lead over the final four innings. Jose Rojas and Franquelis Osoria each pitched two shutout innings, allowing no runners past second base. Osoria earned his third save. Suns relievers have not allowed a run over 19-2/3 innings on this road trip.

Lookouts starter Rich Gardner (1-2) left after five innings and lost his second consecutive game, both against the Suns.

Again, the Suns failed to convert some scoring chances and stranded 11 runners overall, four of which at third base.

AROUND THE BASES: RF Nelson Castro and SS Joel Guzman each went 0-for-5, snapping their nine and eight-game hitting streaks, respectively. ...The Suns have committed one error in their last 50 innings.

ON DECK: Left-hander Derek Thompson (4-4, 3.22 ERA, which ranks fourth in the Southern League) is scheduled to oppose Chattanooga Lookouts righty Steve Kelly (8-5, 3.18) at 7:15 p.m. Thursday at BellSouth Park. The Suns (49-51 overall, 14-17 second half) will face the Lookouts (58-42, 20-10) in the third game of a four-game series.

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Southern League Stories from July 28, 2004


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