SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Six Run Seventh Inning Paces Suns to Victory

Published on June 13, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Russell Mitchell belted a three-run triple to cap off a six-run, ten-batter sixth inning, leading the Jacksonville Suns (32-36) to a 9-4 Friday night victory over the Huntsville Stars (40-28) in front of 8,116 at the Baseball Grounds.

The Suns lead the current series against Huntsville two games to one. Huntsville leads the season series six games to two.

The six-run frame for Jacksonville broke open what was a 3-3 deadlock after the third inning. Huntsville's Michael Brantley hit a first inning, leadoff homerun to open a 1-0 lead. Jacksonville's Jamie Hoffmann singled home a run before Lucas May's sacrifice fly gave the Suns a 2-1 advantage.

The teams traded second inning runs as Matt LaPorta doubled and later scored for the Stars on a wild pitch for a 2-2 score, while Juan Gonzalez belted a solo homerun in the bottom half for Jacksonville for a 3-2 lead. Huntsville tied the game 3-3 in the third inning when Mat Gamel's sacrifice fly scored David Welch.

Suns starter James McDonald lasted five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. Stars starter David Welch allowed three runs on four hits over six innings before giving the game over to reliever Patrick Ryan.

Jacksonville took advantage of Ryan right away in the seventh inning. After an Adam Godwin single and Matt Berezay walk started the inning, Huntsville third baseman Mat Gamel threw a James Tomlin groundball wildly past the first baseman allowing Godwin to score for a 4-3 lead. Mark Bellhorn later drove home a run with an infield single for a 5-3 score. Lucas May singled home another run to open the 6-3 advantage. With the bases loaded, Russell Mitchell next belted a triple over the centerfielder's head to clear the bases for a 9-3 lead. In all, the Suns scored six runs in the seventh inning while sending ten batters to the plate.

Huntsville ended the scoring in the eighth inning as Chris Errecart hit his eleventh homerun of the season, cutting the Suns lead to 9-4.

Suns reliever Travis Schlichting (1-1) picked up the win after two scoreless innings while allowing one hit. Patrick Ryan (2-3) fell in the relief loss for Huntsville after the big Jacksonville seventh inning.

Jacksonville RH Mario Alvarez will start Saturday night, likely going one inning after his activation from the disabled list. LH Marlon Arias will also see time on the mound. LH Brae Wright will make the start for Huntsville. The first 3,000 will receive a Jon Meloan Bobblehead doll, sponsored by the US Army Recruiting Battalion Jacksonville, Southern Chevy Dealers and 99.1 WQIK. Tickets are available through the Suns box office at (904) 358-2846 or by visiting jaxsuns.com.

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Southern League Stories from June 13, 2008


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