SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Suns rally to beat Smokies

August 18, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A seventh-inning rally lent the Suns their first lead in which the bullpen saved in a 3-2 victory over the first-place Tennessee Smokies in front of 1,623 fans at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

The Suns moved to within 2½ games of the Smokies, the closest the team has been to first place since the week of the All-Star Game. After taking their first lead in the seventh, the bullpen continued its 17-1/3-inning scoreless streak to lead the Suns (60-66 overall, 29-28 second half).

Bucky Jacobsen hit his league-leading 29th home run off Suns starter Greg Miller in the second inning. Jacobsen has homered in each game vs. the Suns. Miller earned a no-decision despite striking out 13 batters over 6-2/3 innings. He allowed the go-ahead run in the seventh when pinch-hitter Chris Duncan topped a fly ball that dropped into left field for a double. The hit scored Shaun Boyd, giving the Smokies a 2-1 lead.

When Tennessee starter Nick Stocks was lifted for Duncan, he had allowed one run over six innings but received a no-decision.

In the bottom of the seventh, singles by Nick Theodorou and Victor Rodriguez off Smokies reliever Jeremy Cook (0-2) set up a second and third situation with one out in the seventh inning. Pinch-hitter Nick Alvarez grounded to second, scoring Theodorou, the tying run. With two out, Jason Repko tripled off Josh Kinney, scoring Rodriguez and giving the Suns a 3-2 lead and handing Cook the loss.

Greg Bauer (6-4) earned the victory in relief, throwing one pitch in the seventh to bail Miller out of a jam. Elvin Nina and Jason Frasor completed scoreless eighth and ninth innings. Frasor earned his 13th save in as many opportunities, finishing the final five outs. After Nina walked two in the eighth, Frasor walked another but stranded the bases loaded by striking out Boyd to cease the threat.

Theodorou had two hits to lead the Suns. Jacobsen had two hits, pacing the Smokies (66-60, 31-25).

Right-hander Heath Totten (10-10, 3.35 ERA) is scheduled to face Smokies righty Pat Collins (0-1, 4.91) at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

SUNS SPOTS: Jacobsen's home run was the first hit off Miller since June 8. ...The crowd of 1,623 is the smallest this season at the Baseball Grounds. The game was delayed 59 minutes by a lightning storm and showers. ...The Suns' 18 strikeouts on the mound marked a single-game season-best. ...Miller's 13 strikeouts are the second-highest total of his career. He fanned 14 Braves hitters August 8 at Greenville.

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Southern League Stories from August 18, 2003


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