SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Suns Seventh Inning Rally Seals Comeback Win

Published on May 16, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - After recording only one hit in the first six innings, the Jacksonville Suns (21-21) scored six two-out runs in the seventh inning on Friday night for a 6-4 win over the Birmingham Barons (22-20) in front of 3,863 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

The win improved Jacksonville to an even record (21-21) for the first time since moving to 10-10 on April 23. The second place Suns are now one game behind first place Birmingham in the Southern League South Division first half race with 28 games remaining.

Zach Hammes (2-3) picked up the relief win for the Suns, pitching two and one-thirds scoreless innings. Joe Winkelsas (0-1) fell in the loss, allowing five runs while pitching two-thirds of the seventh inning. Former Barons reliever Edwardo Sierra (4) saved the game for Jacksonville with a perfect ninth inning.

The battle of prospect starting pitchers was one-sided early, as Suns starter James McDonald allowed three runs in his four innings of work. The Barons opened the scoring in the first inning as Cole Armstrong singled home Ricardo Nanita with two out for a 1-0 lead.

After putting the side down in order during the second inning and allowing one hit in the third inning, McDonald allowed more Birmingham scoring in the fourth. Leadoff batter David Cook hit a homerun, his eighth of the year, for a 2-0 Barons lead. Later in the inning, Miguel Negron walked with the bases loaded for a 3-0 Birmingham advantage. With the bases loaded and two out, Robert Hudson was caught trying to steal home for the final out of the inning.

The Barons added their fourth run off of Suns reliever Tanyon Sturtze, scoring on a David Cook sacrifice fly for a 4-0 lead.

On the other side, Barons starter Kyle McCulloch was perfect through four and two-thirds innings until a Mark Bellhorn double broke up the string of outs. It would be Jacksonville's only hit in the first six innings, as the only other baserunners came on a walk and hit-by-pitch in the sixth inning.

McCulloch left the game after six innings for reliever Joe Winkelsas, who allowed a seventh inning leadoff double from Lucas May followed by a groundout and strikeout. Jamie Hoffmann and Juan Gonzalez drew two-out walks to load the bases. Adam Godwin next doubled over the right fielder's head to clear the bases, cutting the Birmingham lead to 4-3. James Tomlin then missed a homerun by a foot with a double off the leftfield wall, scoring Godwin for a 4-4 score. Winkelsas then left the game for reliever Joe Torres. After an Ivan DeJesus, Jr. walk, Greg Jacobs doubled home Tomlin and DeJesus to give the Suns a 6-4 lead.

Hammes allowed a walk before a pop out in the eighth inning before reliever Brent Leach entered and induced an inning-ending double play. Former Baron Edwardo Sierra sealed the win with a perfect ninth inning.

Suns LH Clayton Kershaw will face Barons RH Justin Cassel Saturday at 7:05 p.m. in game three of the series at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. The Suns will wear special pink jerseys on breast cancer awareness night that will be auctioned off after the game, sponsored by St. Vincent's, Comcast and Lite 96.1. Tickets are available by calling the Suns box office at (904) 358-2846 or by visiting jaxsuns.com.

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Southern League Stories from May 16, 2008


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