Suns flinch, Smokies clinch
June 19, 2004 - Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. â The Tennessee Smokies clinched the East Division first half title with a 5-3 victory over the Suns in front of 4,722 fans Saturday at Smokies Park.
The Suns (34-34) fell behind early. After giving up two runs on back-to-back RBI hits by Papo Bolivar and Dan Moylan, on a 3-2 pitch with two outs in the third inning, Suns starter Eric Hull allowed a two-run single to Javier Colina, putting the Suns behind, 5-0. Hull (1-1) could not limit the damage in the four-run third inning and allowed five runs over three innings, earning the loss.
In the fourth, Edwin Bellorin singled with the bases loaded, scoring two, bringing the Suns to within 5-2. Nick Alvarez's pinch-hit RBI groundout in the seventh cut the deficit to 5-3. The Suns' bullpen tandem of Elvin Nina and Franquelis Osoria combined to face the minimum 15 batters over five innings of relief, keeping the Suns in the game.
However, the Suns fell to .500 for the first time since they began the season. The Smokies have won nine consecutive games and clinched the first half East Division title.
Smokies starter Luis Martinez (6-6) went seven innings, allowing three runs and five hits and struck out eight. In one stretch, he fanned six of seven batters he faced. Carmen Cali pitched a perfect ninth to record his second save in as many nights, his eighth of the season.
SUNS SPOTS: Nina has not allowed a hit over his last nine innings, spanning four relief appearances. ...The Suns fell to 10-24 on the road. ...The Suns were held without a home run for the first time in 13 games. ...2B Willy Aybar has 11 hits in his last 19 at bats.
ON DECK: Left-hander Ryan Ketchner (3-2, 2.13 ERA) is scheduled to be activated from the disabled list to oppose Smokies righty Jeremy Cook (2-1, 3.33) at 5 p.m. Sunday at Smokies Park. The Suns (34-34) will face the Tennessee Smokies (39-30) in the final game of the first half.
Southern League Stories from June 19, 2004
- Stars Fall to Birmingham, 6-1 - Huntsville Stars
- Diamond Jaxx defeat Carolina 9-0 - Carolina Mudcats
- G-Braves Fall Short to Lookouts 4-2 - Mississippi Braves
- Smokies Clinch Championship - Knoxville Smokies
- Suns flinch, Smokies clinch - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Stars Fall 2-1 to Barons - Huntsville Stars
- Biscuits and BayBears Rained Out - Montgomery Biscuits
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