SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Leek nearly perfect, Suns split DH

Published on May 2, 2004 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


MONTGOMERY, Ala. ‚¬" Suns left-hander Randy Leek came two outs away from throwing a perfect game in the second game of a doubleheader in front of 5,544 fans Sunday at Riverwalk Stadium.

Leek (1-0) retired the first 19 Biscuits batters in a row before B.J. Upton hit a low sinking line drive single past second baseman Sergio Garcia whose diving efforts were fruitless. Leek was vying to throw the third perfect game in the 41-year Southern League history.

The Suns (17-7) won authoritatively in the second game, 11-2. After Upton ‚¬â„¢s single, Leek surrendered a two-run home run to Aaron Clark and left the game in the seventh. He needed only 78 pitches and struck out three.

Leek was backed with tremendous offense. The Suns scored five runs in the first inning off Biscuits starter Scott Autrey. Autrey (2-2) earned the loss, allowing eight runs before leaving without retiring a batter in the third inning. Jason Repko homered to leadoff the ballgame and Derek Michaelis followed with a two-run, line-drive shot to right center later in the inning.

Brett Dowdy, playing in his first AA game, drove in three runs, including two on a triple to right field in the third off reliever Carlos Hines. Brennan King had three hits to pace the Suns attack.

In the first game, Suns starter Glenn Bott pitched the team ‚¬â„¢s first complete game of the season, but lost in the Biscuits ‚¬â„¢ 3-2 victory. After the Suns staked Bott to a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning, Bott surrendered a three-run home run to Juan Salas, accounting for all the Biscuits ‚¬â„¢ scoring. It was Salas ‚¬â„¢ first home run of the season and the first the losing pitcher Bott (1-2) allowed.

Jim Magrane (1-0) allowed two unearned runs over six innings and won his first AA start of the season. Josh Parker retired the side in order in the ninth to earn his third save for the Biscuits (9-15).

SUNS SPOTS: The Suns gave up runs in the subsequent inning after scoring to break a tie for the third time in a week. All three instances begat Suns losses. ...2B Willy Aybar (hamstring) was not available Sunday and was rested. He notes his hamstring is improving and remains day-to-day.

ON DECK: The Suns (17-7) at Montgomery Biscuits (9-15) at 8:05 p.m. tonight in the third game of a four-game series. Left-hander Derek Thompson (1-0, 1.86 ERA) is scheduled to face Biscuits right Jarod Matthews (1-2, 3.38) at 8:05 p.m. Monday at Riverwalk Stadium.

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Southern League Stories from May 2, 2004


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