SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Pair of Homers Edge Suns Past Pensacola 3-2

Published on May 16, 2014 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


PENSACOLA, FL - The Jacksonville Suns (19-22) used home runs from Brady Shoemaker and J.T. Realmuto as well as a strong Double-A debut from starter Chipper Smith to narrowly edge out the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (18-24) by a 3-2 final Friday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium to take a 2-0 series lead.

Listen to manager Andy Barkett's postgame comments here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?vYke_RtQVI2c

Despite not factoring into the decision, Chipper Smith was outstanding in his Southern League debut on Friday, allowing two runs (both earned) on three hits in 5.2 innings of work, while striking out six Blue Wahoos and only issuing one walk.

Jheyson Manzueta (W, 3-0) earned his third win in only his fourth appearance as a Jacksonville Sun; striking out three batters while holding the Blue Wahoos scoreless over 2.1 innings of hitless relief. Nick Wittgren (SV, 5) earned the save after shutting down Pensacola in a scoreless bottom of the ninth inning.

Robert Stephenson (L, 2-4) looked sharp through seven innings after striking out eight batters and allowing three runs (all earned) on four hits, but the two home runs he allowed would lead him to his fourth loss of the season.

The Suns and Blue Wahoos were held scoreless until Brady Shoemaker (HR, 3) opened up the scoring with a two-out, two-run homer to center in the top of the fourth inning to give the Suns a 2-0 advantage.

It took until the bottom of the fifth inning for Pensacola to record its first hit of the game when Travis Mattair ripped a two-out single into center field. The Blue Wahoos then promptly responded with a two-out, two-run homer of their own in the bottom of the fifth inning when Juan Duran (HR, 3) belted his third homer of the year to knot the ballgame up at 2-2 after five innings of play.

J.T. Realmuto (HR, 5) put the Suns back in front by a 3-2 score after hitting his team-leading fifth home run of the year over the wall in center to lead off the top of the seventh inning.

At two hours and 10 minutes, Friday night's ballgame was the quickest game the Suns have played in this season.

The Suns and Blue Wahoos will be back at it on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Suns send out the left-hander Andrew Heaney (3-2, 2.35) to make his Southern League debut, while the BayBears are set to counter with the righty Jon Moscot (3-2, 1.97).

Suns fans can listen to Saturday's game on the Suns Baseball Network, 94.1 WSOS-FM or throughwww.jaxsuns.com, MiLB.com or the Suns iPhone or Android app, beginning at 7:15 p.m. ET with the Memorial Hospital Suns Pregame Show.

The 2014 season of Suns baseball is presented by EverBank, the official banking partner of the Jacksonville Suns. Sponsorships, group outings, and season / individual game tickets are currently available by calling the Suns front office at (904) 358-2846.

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Southern League Stories from May 16, 2014


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.

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