Suns edged again, 5-4
May 7, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release
HOOVER, Ala. â A fifth-inning rally by the Birmingham Barons was the difference in the Suns' 5-4 defeat Wednesday afternoon in front of 4,305 fans at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.
The Barons (14-17) scored three times off Suns starter Tommy Farmer in the fifth, erasing a 4-2 lead. The Suns (16-16) could not score against two Barons relievers and lost for the fourth time in a row.
In an 11 a.m. start catering to area middle school children, the Suns started quickly. In the second inning, Victor Diaz singled in Derek Michaelis to give Jacksonville a 1-0 lead. But Farmer allowed a pair of hits in the bottom half of the inning, evening the score at 1-1. Michaelis doubled to clear the bases in the third off Barons starter Brian West. West (2-2) earned the victory despite a pedestrian outing. He allowed four runs and walked four over five innings.
Jonathan Aceves homered in the fourth inning off Farmer to cut the Suns' lead to 4-2. In the fifth inning, Carlos Maldonado doubled home two runs to tie the score. Maldonado's two-run double in the ninth Tuesday scored the tying and winning runs for the Barons.
Former Major Leaguer Gabe Alvarez doubled in the go-ahead run, scoring Maldonado. He and Diaz led both teams with three hits apiece.
Farmer (1-2) earned the loss, allowing five runs and nine hits in 4-1/3 innings. Reliever Steve Langone preserved the one-run margin, shutting out Birmingham over 3-2/3 innings despite suffering from flu-like symptoms prior to game time.
Royce Ring and Tetsu Yofu combined to hold the Suns scoreless over the final four innings. Yofu struck out the side in the ninth to earn his second save.
Suns right-hander Heath Totten (3-2, 3.49 ERA) is scheduled to face Barons lefty Neal Cotts (4-1, 1.38) at 8 p.m. Eastern on Thursday at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.
Southern League Stories from May 7, 2003
- BayBears drop second straight to West Tenn - Mobile BayBears
- Switzer Cools Mudcats' Hot Bats - Orlando Rays
- Stars and Lookouts Rained Out - Huntsville Stars
- Barons Take 2-0 Series Lead with 5-4 Win - Birmingham Barons
- G-Braves Honor Classroom Excellence, Top Students - Mississippi Braves
- G-Braves Top Smokies in Rain Shortened Matinee - Knoxville Smokies
- Suns Have Exciting Weekend in Store for Fans - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Suns edged again, 5-4 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Barons Rally Past Suns in Ninth, 4-3 - Birmingham Barons
- Suns fall in ninth, 4-3 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
