Suns sank, 5-4
August 25, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release
JACKSON, Tenn. â Jemel Spearman's three-run home run boosted the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx past the Suns, 5-4, in front of 2,102 fans at Pringles Park.
The loss sank the Suns to 31-32 in the second half, 3½ games back of first-place Carolina, whose magic number was reduced to four.
Spearman hit a towering blast in the sixth inning off Suns starter Heath Totten. Totten (10-12) allowed an infield chopper to pitcher Eric Brown to lead off the inning and walked Dwaine Bacon before Spearman's one-out home run, his first with the Diamond Jaxx (61-70 overall, 27-34 second half).
The Suns (62-70) scored first on Nick Theodorou's first inning double which scored Franklin Gutierrez and gave Jacksonville a 1-0 lead. West Tenn tied it on Spearman's RBI groundout in the bottom of the first.
Reggie Abercrombie powered his 14th home run, a solo shot in the third which gave the Suns another lead. Totten's first-pitch flawless bunt down the third base line on a suicide squeeze scored Mike Collins from third, giving Jacksonville a 3-1 lead in the fourth.
Blair Barbier, who committed two errors, redeemed himself by singling home Mike Dzurilla in the fifth to pull the Diamond Jaxx to within 3-2.
After Spearman's homer put the Suns behind two runs, Jason Repko hit a two-out solo home run off West Tenn closer Jason Karnuth in the ninth to pull the Suns to within a run. It was too little, too late. Brown (6-1) earned the victory in relief. Karnuth picked up his 13th save of the season.
Right-hander Brian Pilkington (2-0, 3.32 ERA) is scheduled to face Diamond Jaxx righty Sergio Mitre (7-8, 3.39) at 7:05 CT Tuesday at Pringles Park.
Southern League Stories from August 25, 2003
- Suns sank, 5-4 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- G-Braves Blank Rays in Opener - Orlando Rays
- Smokies Drop Out of First with 9-5 Loss - Knoxville Smokies
- Stars Romp in Series Finale, 10-2 - Huntsville Stars
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
