SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Perio's Big Night Gives Suns 2-1 Win

Published on May 17, 2013 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


PEARL, Miss. - Noah Perio drove in both runs and turned a key double play for the Jacksonville Suns (23-15), who bested the Mississippi Braves (25-16) by a score of 2-1 in game one of a five-game series at Trustmark Park.

Jacksonville trailed 1-0 for virtually the entire game until Perio came through with a two-out, two-run single in the top of the seventh to give the Suns their first lead of the game. Then, in the bottom of the eighth, the second baseman made a crucial tag of base runner Tommy La Stella and then threw on to first to complete an inning-ending double play.

The seventh inning rally came just in time to make a winner of Suns starter Jay Jackson (2-1), who allowed a solo home run to Jose Martinez and nothing else over seven solid innings on the mound. Jackson struck out eight and surrendered just three hits in picking up his second victory.

Martinez's second inning blast provided the only run of the evening for the Braves, who saw their slim South division lead over the Suns decrease to just half a game with the loss. Mississippi finished with just five hits, and only Christian Bethancourt had a multi-hit game for the home squad.

For the majority of the night, it looked as though that lone run would be enough for Braves starter Cody Martin, who did not allow the Suns to dent the scoreboard in his six innings of work. The right-hander struck out seven Suns and did not issue a walk, giving up just four base hits.

The Braves' 1-0 advantage disappeared in the seventh, however, when Juan Jaime (0-1) took over for Martin. Jaime walked the first two batters he faced, Mark Canha and Audy Ciriaco, then let loose a wild pitch that moved the runners to second and third.

Jaime, however, then struck out J.T. Realmuto and Daniel Pertusati in succession to put the Braves in position to escape the inning unscathed. With two outs, Perio delivered the biggest hit of the game for either team, lining a single to right to score both Canha and Ciriaco. Perio was thrown out at second attempting to stretch his hit into a double, but the damage was done.

Right-handed reliever Rob Waite made his Suns debut in the eighth and ran into some trouble, but posted his first scoreless inning thanks to Perio's stout defensive play.

Waite then got the first two outs in the bottom of the ninth before Edgar Olmos retired pinch-hitter Jaime Pedroza to earn his first save and clinch the win for Jacksonville.

The win was the third straight for the Suns and moved them to eight games over .500, with a chance to re-take first place in the Southern League South division with a win on Saturday.

Sam Dyson (0-3, 2.65) will start for the Suns in game two of the five-game series in Mississippi, while the Braves will turn to right-hander J.R. Graham (1-3, 4.04) to try and even the set at a game apiece. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. ET.

Suns fans can listen to Saturday'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 6:45 p.m. with the UF and Shands Suns Pre-Game Show.

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Southern League Stories from May 17, 2013


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