SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Suns Win Completed Game 9-5 Before Falling 6-5 in Second Game

Published on July 5, 2011 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


ZEBULON, N.C. - The Jacksonville Suns won their first game of the series against the Carolina Mudcats, winning 9-5 in the game that was resumed in the top of the eleventh inning from Monday night before falling in a full nine inning second game, losing 6-5 at Five County Stadium on Tuesday night.

The first game, suspended early Tuesday morning because of the Southern League curfew, featured a grand slam by Kevin Mattison that gave the Suns a commanding 9-5 lead in the top of the eleventh. Jeff Allison pitched the bottom of the eleventh in scoreless fashion to preserve the victory as Chris Hatcher picked up the victory.

Following a twenty-minute break in between the games, the Suns fell 6-5 to the Mudcats in the second game of the series. After Carolina built a 4-1 lead, the Suns tied the contest in the top of the seventh inning on a three-run home run by Luke Montz that hit off the scoreboard in left field. The blast is Montz's team-leading 17th of the season, which is good for second-best in the Southern League.

Jacksonville broke the 4-4 tie in the top of the eighth on a solo homer by Neil Sellers to go on top 5-4. Making his Southern League debut, newly acquired reliever Chris Squires pitched two and a third innings in scoreless relief of starter Graham Taylor, and left the game after the eighth with Jacksonville on top 5-4.

Despite getting the lead in the top of the eighth, the Suns stranded the bases loaded in both the eighth and ninth, keeping the margin at a one-run game. Jhan Marinez entered the game in the bottom of the ninth to try and earn the save for the Suns and after striking out the first two batters was an out away from preserving what could have been Jacksonville's third straight victory.

However with two outs, Denis Phipps hit his second homer of the series against the Suns, a solo shot that tied the game at five. The Mudcats would load the bases following the home run, and Eric Campbell ended the game with a walk-off RBI single that scored David Cook from third to end the game in a Carolina 6-5 win.

The loss drops Marinez's record to 3-7 in 2011, and this is his third blown save of the season.

The Suns and Mudcats will play in the third game of the series on Wednesday night at Five County Stadium. Right-handed pitcher Joey O'Gara (4-6, 4.21 ERA) will pitch for the Suns against Carolina's right-hander Kyle McCulloch (2-3, 5.54 ERA). Wednesday's first pitch is set for 7:15 p.m., and fans can listen to the game 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 5, 2011


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