SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Suns whetted, devour Braves, 11-1

Published on August 22, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After a two-hour, six-minute rain delay, the Suns poured it on, beating the Greenville Braves, 11-1, in front of 5,209 fans Thursday at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

The game began under light rain showers but the precipitation picked up and caused a suspension in the middle the third inning when the Suns were leading, 2-0. Franklin Gutierrez hit a two-run home run off Braves starter Adam Wainwright in the first inning. Greenville had mustered two singles off Jacksonville starter Edwin Jackson. Wainwright (8-8) was dealt the loss and both pitchers did not return after the resumption.

Ramon Castro hit a solo home run off Suns reliever Elvin Nina in the fourth inning, bringing the Braves (61-67 overall, 25-35 second half) to within 2-1. Nina (1-0) earned the victory and receiving a great deal of offensive support.

Tarrik Brock doubled home Gutierrez in the bottom of the fourth off Braves reliever Derrick Lewis. Brennan King scored Brock from third on a sacrifice fly and Derek Michaelis homered, giving the Suns (62-67, 31-29) a 5-1 cushion. Brock's grand slam off Willie Collazo in the fifth pampered the margin. Pinch-hitter Nick Alvarez plated Edwin Bellorin on a sacrifice fly in the sixth off Collazo.

Infielder Bryon Jeffcoat, on in relief for the Braves, walked Gutierrez with the bases loaded in the eighth to cap the scoring. The game was completed near midnight in a sparsely seated stadium.

Right-hander Will McCrotty (3-5, 3.97 ERA) is scheduled to face Braves lefty Ray Aguilar (2-4, 3.08) at 7:35 p.m. Friday at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. It will be the final Friday Family Fireworks of the season, brought to you by Napa, WAWS Fox 30 and Rooster Country 107.

SUNS SPOTS: The Suns scored their most runs since the All-Star Break and hadn't won that handily since a 14-3 victory at Orlando on June 11. ...The Suns hit three home runs in a game for the first time this season. ...Brock's five RBI were a 2003 team-best.

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Southern League Stories from August 22, 2003


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