SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Suns Take Series from Barons

July 15, 2007 - Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


Jacksonville, Fla. - Jimmy Rohan smashed a two-out, three-run triple during a four-run eighth inning leading the Jacksonville Suns (59-36, 18-7) to a 5-2 Sunday victory over the Birmingham Barons (41-54, 9-16) in front of 4,767 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

The win combined with a Montgomery Sunday loss against Mississippi would put Jacksonville back into a tie for Southern League South Division lead with the second half record of 18-7.

Jacksonville opened the scoring in the fourth inning against Birmingham starter Gio Gonzalez when Blake DeWitt hit a two-out single through the right side to plate David Nicholson for a 1-0 lead.

Birmingham bounced back right away against Jacksonville starter Zach Hammes in the fifth inning when Adam Shabala single home both Shawn Garrett and Donny Lucy with two out for a 2-1 Barons advantage. Hammes left the game after five innings, allowing only those two runs on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

The Suns offense bailed Hammes out in the sixth inning, when Kevin Howard smashed a first-pitch homerun into the left-centerfield bleachers off of Gonzalez to tie the game 2-2. Jacksonville continued the threat with an Alberto Concepcion single followed by an Anthony Raglani walk. Blake DeWitt sacrificed the two runners to second and third base for the first out. Gonzalez chose to intentionally walk A.J. Ellis to load the bases for Cory Dunlap, who struck out for the second out. In the number nine spot of the order Jimmy Rohan stepped in and smashed a two-out line drive to the right-centerfield gap, clearing the bases with a triple to open a 5-2 Suns lead.

Ramon Troncoso (4-1) allowed one hit in his two relief innings, and became the pitcher of record when the Suns took the lead and ultimately received a win. Luis Gonzalez allowed a leadoff walk in the eighth inning, but put the next three Barons down in order. Jon Meloan (18) walked two in the ninth, but struck out Adam Shabala to save the game. Meloan now leads the Southern League alone in total saves.

The Suns travel to Pearl, Mississippi for a Monday off day, but open a series at Trustmark Park against the first half South Division Champion Mississippi Braves on Tuesday at 8:05 p.m. ET. Fans can follow the action in Jacksonville on AM 930 The Fox or online at jaxsuns.com.

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Southern League Stories from July 15, 2007


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