SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Suns Take Wild Championship Series Opener

Published on September 15, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


Jacksonville, Fla. - The Jacksonville Suns (4-0) scored two improbable tenth inning two-out runs, finishing off one of the wildest endings to any Southern League postseason game, in a come-from-behind, 6-5 victory in ten innings over the Tennessee Smokies (3-2) in front of 1,887 Tuesday night at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

The win gives Jacksonville a 1-0 series lead in the best-of-five Southern League Championship.

Suns reliever Garrett Parcell (1-0) picked up the relief win after giving up the hit that produced a Tennessee go-ahead run in the top of the tenth inning. Tennessee reliever Brian Schlitter (0-1) struck out the first two batters of the tenth inning before giving up the tying and winning runs for the loss.

With the game tied 3-3, Jacksonville gained the lead in the eighth inning against Tennessee reliever David Cales. Scott Cousins singled to lead off, stole second and moved to third base on a throwing error by catcher Welington Castillo. After Kevin Randel struck out and was ejected for arguing the third strike, and Matt Dominguez lined out to the drawn in shortstop, Brad Davis belted a double over the leftfielder to score Cousins for a 4-3 lead.

Tennessee rallied in the ninth inning against Suns closer Matt Peterson. Marquez Smith led off with a single and moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt. Jonathan Mota next singled to right field to score Smith for a 4-4 game. Mota moved to second then third base on two different wild pitches. Russ Canzler next flied out to centerfielder Scott Cousins for the second out. Cousins throw to the plate gunned down Mota for the final out to keep the game tied. After a short argument, Tennessee manager Ryne Sandberg was ejected from the game.

After holding down the Suns in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Smokies gained the lead in the top of the tenth inning, again against Peterson. With one out, Peterson allowed a walk, a Ty Wright double and an intentional walk to load the bases. Dan Jennings entered from the bullpen to strikeout left-hander Tyler Colvin. Garrett Parcell next entered the game and gave up a bouncing ball to third base that was mishandled by Matt Dominguez, allowing Jim Adduci to score for a 5-4 lead. On the play, shortstop Chris de la Cruz threw out Wright at home for the final out of the inning.

The Suns rallied in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the tenth inning. Tennessee closer Brian Schlitter struck out Chris Hatcher and Matt Dominguez to start the inning. Brad Davis then belted a solo homerun onto the leftfield lawn to tie the score 5-5. Ryan Klosterman next rolled a ground ball along the third base line where Marquez Smith threw off balance to first for what was ruled the final out of the inning.

Suns manager Brandon Hyde argued the call with the Smokies defenders in the dugout, asking for a meeting of the umpires who eventually overturned the call to keep Klosterman on base. Bryan Petersen next legged out an infield hit to move Klosterman to third base. Chris de la Cruz next singled over the shortstop to drive in Klosterman for the 6-5 final score.

Suns LH Graham Taylor will face Smokies LH Jeremy Papelbon in game two of the Southern League Championship Series Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are available through the Suns box office at (904) 358-2846 or by visiting jaxsuns.com.

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Southern League Stories from September 15, 2009


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