Suns clinch first playoff berth in minor league baseball
June 8, 2006 - Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release
Jacksonville did not want to postpone a possible celebration until Thursday, choosing to wait in the clubhouse Wednesday night after topping Huntsville to find out they clinched the first-half title of the Southern League's South Division.
T.J. Nall struck out a career-high 10 batters over seven innings and Craig Brazell cranked an eighth-inning home run as the Suns beat the Stars, 4-1. And the reigning Southern League champions were able to start the party after hearing that Montgomery fell to Carolina, 7-1.
Jacksonville became the first team in the Minor Leagues to wrap up a playoff berth.
"Everyone knew that the magic number was two," manager John Shoemaker said. "We had not started looking at the magic number until about a week ago."
The Suns (41-20), who have won eight straight games and 16 of their last 17, lead the league with 291 RBIs and a .273 average. Brazell is second in the league with 40 RBIs, one behind teammate Andy Laroche.
The Suns are home all weekend at the Baseball Grounds, playing at home through Sunday. On Friday night, the first 3,000 fans get a free beach towel, compliments of Benjamin Moore Paints and 99.9FM Gator Country. After the game on Friday, NAPA Friday Family Fireworks.
On Saturday, the Suns celebrate the 231st birthday of the U.S. Army. The Suns players will wear commemorative camouflage jerseys that will be auctioned off and the first 3,000 fans get a camo cap, compliments of Jiffy Lube, WB17 and The Eagle 96.9FM.
The homestand concludes on Sunday with Lou Gehrig Day and a kids' replica jersey giveaway! The first 1,500 kids get a free Suns replica home jersey and the Suns honor the legacy of Lou Gehrig with a special fundraiser for ALS.
Tickets for the rest of the homestand are available online at www.jaxsuns.com or by calling the Suns ticket office at (904) 358-2846.
Southern League Stories from June 8, 2006
- Braves fall to Lookouts in first game home - Mississippi Braves
- Suns come back from seven run deficit to defeat Huntsville - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Jaxx clip Barons 6-4 - Jackson Generals
- Smokies beat BayBears 7-3 - Mobile BayBears
- Biscuits homer past Mudcats, 7-3 - Carolina Mudcats
- Saints players coming to BayBears game - Mobile BayBears
- Barons will hold Luau Jersey Auction from June 15-17 - Birmingham Barons
- Brandenburg headed to Jupiter, Garcia to Carolina - Carolina Mudcats
- Suns clinch first playoff berth in minor league baseball - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Tickets Still Available to See Mark Prior Pitch for the Diamond Jaxx Tonight, June 8 - Jackson Generals
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