SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Suns catch Mudcats, 11-6

May 2, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. –- The Suns hadn't allowed six runs since before Easter, but they generated their highest run total of the season in an 11-6 victory over the Carolina Mudcats on Friday in front of 7,895 fans at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

The Suns (16-12) won their eighth game in their last nine and pulled to within three games of first-place Carolina. Jacksonville scored seven times in the third inning to overcome a 1-0 deficit in support of starting pitcher Heath Totten. Totten (3-2) earned the victory despite giving up six runs in six innings.

Nine consecutive hitters reached in the third inning off Mudcats starter Randy Messenger. Suns catcher Koyie Hill drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single to give Jacksonville a 2-1 lead. Nick Alvarez singled and Derek Michaelis doubled, each driving in another run. Victor Diaz drove home a run on a fielder's choice and two runs scored on wild pitches. Diaz made the second out of the inning on a suicide squeeze play where Totten missed the bunt.

The Suns batted 11 times in the third inning. Diaz was the only Suns starter who did not finish the game with a hit.

Messenger (1-2) earned the loss, managing 2-1/3 innings. He gave way to Steve Kent, who gave up three runs to the Suns in the fourth inning. Michaelis doubled home two runs and another wild pitch scored the other.

Michaelis, Hill, Alvarez and Jesus Feliciano each had two hits to lead the Suns. Feliciano, the leadoff batter, reached base in all five plate appearances. He walked thrice.

Drew Niles, whose second inning home run hit the left field foul pole, had three hits to lead the Mudcats (19-9).

Carolina third baseman Miguel Cabrera, who entered the game leading the league with a .415 average, went 2-for-4. He was named Southern League player of the week prior to the game.

The Suns will start 19-year-old right-hander Edwin Jackson (1-1, 2.60 ERA) against Mudcats lefty Dontrelle Willis (3-0, 1.27) at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

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