Suns Rally to Beat Smokies 2-1
Published on April 27, 2011 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- A walkoff single by Jorge Padilla gave the Jacksonville Suns (10-10) a dramatic ninth inning 2-1 victory over the Tennessee Smokies (13-7) in the finale of the five game series in front of 4,129 fans at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville on Wednesday afternoon.
After trailing 1-0 since the top of the second inning, the Suns scored two runs off Southern League saves leader David Cales (0-2), who took the loss after allowing the tying run to score on a Jake Smolinksi RBI single, then Padilla's bases loaded single scored Chris Gutierrez to win the ballgame for the Suns.
Suns starter Darin Downs was strong on the mound, giving up the lone Tennessee run on four hits in six innings of work. The Jacksonville bullpen followed his example, as Jhan Marinez, Dan Jennings, and Sandy Rosario (1-0) didn't allow any runs or hits to the Smokies in the final three innings. Rosario earned the victory after pitching a perfect top of the ninth.
Jacksonville's rally began as pinch-hitter Erik Lis opened the ninth with a single. After Kevin Mattison reached on a fielder's choice, Gutierrez walked, setting the stage for Smolinksi's game tying single as Mattison scored. With first base open, the Smokies intentionally walked Kyle Skipworth to face Padilla, who delivered the game-winning hit in Jacksonville's second walkoff win this season.
Smokies starter Robert Whitenack, making his Southern League debut, threw well for the Smokies, blanking the Suns over six innings while only allowing three hits and he struck out two.
The Suns will now embark on a ten-game road trip to Alabama. Jacksonville will first face the Montgomery Biscuits, with the opening game of the five-game series on Thursday night at Riverwalk Stadium. Suns left-hander Graham Taylor (0-1, 4.09 ERA) will pitch against Montgomery right-hander Nick Barnese (0-1, 6.39 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. eastern time, and Suns fans can listen to the broadcast of the contest beginning at 7:50 p.m. with the UF & Shands pregame show www.jaxsuns.com.
Southern League Stories from April 27, 2011
- Mudcats Lose 5-1 To Chattanooga - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Longoria's Batting Practice Open to Fans - Montgomery Biscuits
- Smokies Drop Finale to Suns - Knoxville Smokies
- RHP Matt Klinker Joins Mudcats, Starts Tonight - Carolina Mudcats
- Suns Rally to Beat Smokies 2-1 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- M-Braves Fall in a Blowout to the Montgomery Biscuits, 17-2 - Mississippi Braves
- Biscuits Explode for 17 Runs to Get Series Win - Montgomery Biscuits
- Homestand Highlights - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Stars Game Postponed - Huntsville Stars
- BayBears, Generals Postponed Again Wednesday - Mobile BayBears
- Whitenack joins Tennessee from Daytona; Sommer Released - Knoxville Smokies
- Last Chance to Win An iPad2 - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Generals, BayBears Double-Header Postponed Wednesday - Jackson Generals
- First-Place Smokies Return Home this Thursday - Knoxville Smokies
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