Suns Blank BayBears in Playoff Opener
Published on September 9, 2010 under Southern League (SL1)
Mobile BayBears News Release
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A scoreless tie was broken in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Jacksonville Suns claimed game one of the South Division Championship Series with a 2-0 victory over the BayBears on Thursday night at the Baseball Grounds.
Aces Josh Collmenter and Elih Villanueva (1-0) locked horns in a gritty pitcher's duel while Collmenter scattered six hits over six innings of work in an eight-strikeout performance. Villanueva carried his shutout into the ninth inning before finally being pulled with two outs and eight punch outs of his own.
Collmenter faced some adversity as Jacksonville (1-0) put runners on the corners in the first and fourth innings but couldn't score. In the fifth, Ozzie Martinez doubled with two outs but was thrown out at home by Evan Frey as he tried to cross the plate on a base hit by Vinny Rottino.
Reid Mahon surrendered a pair of hits in the bottom of the seventh but was lifted out of trouble by Josh Ellis as he forced Martinez to softly line out to Jake Elmore. Bryan Woodall (0-1) replaced Ellis in the eighth and retired the first batter before allowing a solo home run that was lasered down the left field line from Matt Dominguez to put the Suns up, 1-0.
Lee Mitchell followed with a single and was removed for pinch-runner Kevin Mattison, who stole two bases to get himself to third. Mattison came home with an insurance tally when Ryan Curry bounced a ball to the left side that Taylor Harbin made a diving stop on, but Harbin's throw to first was dropped by Bryan Byrne.
The BayBears never had a man reach second base until there were two away in the ninth. Konrad Schmidt walked in front of a Ryan Wheeler single to put the tying run on base for Harbin. Sandy Rosario (S, 1) replaced Villanueva and induced a slow chopper to short that Martinez handled and gunned to first to retire Harbin.
The BayBears will battle the Suns in game two of the South Division Championship Series on Friday night at 6:05 with left-hander Tom Layne (12-7, 3.74) getting the start against 2010 Southern League Pitcher of the Year Tom Koehler (16-2, 2.58). The BayBears will be home Saturday night at 7:05 for game three of the series. There will be a 9/11 and military tribute prior to the start of the contest. For tickets, which start at $5 for kids and $7 for adults, please call (251) 479-BEAR or log on to www.mobilebaybears.com. For more information on the Hank Aaron Childhood Home & Museum, please visit www.hankaaronstadium.com.
Southern League Stories from September 9, 2010
- Smokies Drop Game 1 to West Tenn Thursday Night, 8-3 - Knoxville Smokies
- Suns Blank BayBears in Playoff Opener - Mobile BayBears
- Jaxx Jump Ahead Early And Win Game One Of Divison Series - Jackson Generals
- Suns Blank BayBears in Division Series Opener - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Gillispie Wins Broadcaster of the Year Award - Knoxville Smokies
- Suns Win Second-Half Championship, Will Host Game Four and Five of Playoffs If Necessary - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Thursday's Jaxx Playoff Notes - Jackson Generals
- Carpenter, Chirinos and Sommer rejoin Tennessee, LeMahieu promoted from Daytona - Knoxville Smokies
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