Suns fall short in second half opener
June 18, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. â The Suns battled back to within a run in the eighth inning, but fell short in the second half opener, 6-2, to the Tennessee Smokies on Wednesday in front of 2,517 fans at Smokies Park.
Jason Repko's team-leading ninth home run in the eighth pulled the Suns to within 3-2, but Brian Steffek walked five and hit a batter in his Suns debut which padded the Smokies' lead.
Tennessee (36-35 overall, 1-0 second half) scored in the first inning off Suns starter Edwin Jackson. Jackson (3-5) allowed a one-out double to Caonabo Cosme followed two batters later by a run-scoring single by Bucky Jacobsen. Jackson gave up a two-run home run to Kevan Burns in the fifth, his final inning. The 19-year-old labored, throwing 98 pitches in five innings but received no run support.
The Suns (31-39, 0-1) did not score off Smokies starter Rhett Parrott until the seventh inning. With one out, Derek Michaelis doubled, Brennan King walked and Reggie Abercrombie singled to left, scoring Michaelis. Jeremy Lambert relieved Parrott and struck out B.J. Waszgis and Mike Collins to end the inning.
Parrott (4-7) went 6-1/3 innings, allowing six hits and striking out three.
In the eighth, Ryan Minor relieved Steffek after the fifth walk. He tagged out Yadier Molina who tried to advance on a wild pitch and got Cosme to fly out to end the threat.
Molina and Waszgis got into a shouting match, clearing both benches in the eighth after Molina was struck in the helmet with a breaking ball from Steffek. No players were ejected and no punches were thrown.
Right-hander Alfredo Gonzalez (2-2, 5.81 ERA) is scheduled to face Smokies righty Jeremy Cummings (6-6, 3.49) at noon Thursday at Smokies Park. The game will not be broadcast on WFXJ-AM 930, but will be broadcast on www.jaxsuns.com.
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Southern League Stories from June 18, 2003
- Stars Stay Hot, Win Second Half Opener - Huntsville Stars
- Stars Continue to Sizzle, Edge G-Braves - Mississippi Braves
- Suns fall short in second half opener - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Smokies Out-Duel Suns - Knoxville Smokies
- Rays -Barons Rained Out - Orlando Rays
- Smokies to Host Mock Spring Training July 7th and 8th - Knoxville Smokies
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