SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Suns end first half with loss

June 16, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Five Greenville Braves pitchers combined to shut out the Suns, 5-0, on Monday afternoon in front of 2,738 fans at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

The Suns (31-38) managed three hits and did not reach base until Shane Victorino's bunt single off Braves starter Chuck Smith in the fourth inning. Smith (1-0) retired the first nine in order and pitched five innings for his first victory since April 7, 2002, with Colorado Springs in the Pacific Coast League. He underwent Tommy John surgery and made his first start in more than a year.

Brett Evert, Kazuhiro Takeoka, Kevin Barry and Billy Sylvester each pitched a scoreless inning for Greenville (36-32), which will finish in second place in the first half in the East Division.

The Braves scored in the first inning off Suns starter Heath Totten. Jason Fitzgerald's sacrifice fly scoring James Jurries gave Greenville a 1-0 lead. Smith's RBI groundout with the bases loaded in the fourth scored Cory Aldridge. Totten (3-8) lost his fourth consecutive start, pitching six innings and allowing two runs. Beginning with Smith, he retired the final eight batters he faced.

Ryan Langerhans' bases-clearing double with two outs in the ninth off Suns reliever Steve Langone padded Greenville's lead.

The Suns' first-half finish is the team's worst mark since a 29-41 finish in the first half of 2000. If Orlando wins Monday vs. Mobile, the Suns will complete the first half alone in last place for the first time in three years.

Right-hander Alfredo Gonzalez (2-2, 5.81 ERA) is scheduled to face the Tennessee Smokies at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday at Smokies Park.

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