SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Suns Sweep Doubleheader with Mudcats

Published on July 26, 2011 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


ZEBULON, N.C. - The Jacksonville Suns (14-17, 51-50) swept a doubleheader against the Carolina Mudcats (14-17, 37-64) by winning the first game 10-5 before finishing the night with a 6-4 victory in the second game of the twin-bill at Five County Stadium on Tuesday night.

The first game featured a comeback victory for the Suns. Trailing 5-2 going into the top of the seventh inning, Jacksonville battled back to score eight runs in the frame to take a 10-5 lead, which would be the final. The comeback featured a two-RBI double by Paul Gran that tied the game before Alex Romero hit his second RBI double of the game to put the Suns on top 6-5. Jake Smolinski capped the seventh inning uprising with a grand slam homer to give the Suns a comfortable five-run lead.

Smolinski's blast was his first since late May and his sixth of the season, in addition to the fourth grand slam hit by the Suns in 2011. Jacksonville's Kris Harvey (1-2) earned the win in relief while Chris Mobley (1-3) took the loss for Carolina.

The second game saw Romero once again help the Suns at the plate. Romero hit a solo homer off Mudcats starter Tim Gustafson (2-7) over the right field wall to give Jacksonville a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. The Mudcats tied the game in the bottom of the second with Didi Gregorius drawing a bases-loaded walk from Suns starter Jeff Allison to tie the game at one.

Jacksonville scored five runs in the top of the fourth to power away from the Mudcats. After Romero drew a bases-loaded walk to break the tie and put the Suns up 2-1, Jeremy Synan hit a two-RBI single that gave Jacksonville a 4-1 lead. Two batters later, pinch-hitter Neil Sellers delivered a two-RBI double to extend the lead to 6-1.

The Mudcats would score two unearned runs in the sixth before adding a run in the seventh, however Chris Hatcher finished the game by forcing Quintin Berry to ground out to second to complete Jacksonville's doubleheader sweep. Dallas Trahern (3-3) earned the win by pitching two scoreless innings of relief in game two.

The Suns and Mudcats will play the third game of the six-game series at Five County Stadium on Wednesday night. Left-handed pitcher Jose Alvarez (0-2, 5.68 ERA) will pitch for Jacksonville against Carolina's right-hander Matt Klinker (6-6, 4.98). Wednesday's game will start at 7:15 p.m. ET, and fans can listen to the contest beginning at 7:00 p.m. with the U.F. & Shands Pregame Show on Jacksonville's WFXJ AM 930 the Fox and www.jaxsuns.com.

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Southern League Stories from July 26, 2011


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