SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Suns win extra-inning thriller

Published on April 14, 2006 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


Jacksonville, Fla. - The Jacksonville Suns (4-5) outlasted the Montgomery Biscuits (6-3) Friday night at the Baseball Grounds in twelve innings, coming from behind to win 4-3 in front of a crowd of 9,251.

The Suns led 2-0 after a first inning RBI double from Tony Abreu and a third inning RBI single from Andy LaRoche. Montgomery chipped away with a fourth inning homerun from Ryan Christianson to make it 2-1. The Biscuits finally took the lead in the sixth inning on a two-run triple from Matthew Maniscalco, taking a 3-2 lead on a ball that skipped past diving Suns right-fielder Justin Ruggiano.

Ruggiano made up for the misplayed ball in the home half of the eighth inning when he belted his first homerun of 2006, a monster shot over the left-center field wall that tied the game at three.

Jacksonville had golden opportunities to win the game in later innings as they loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth. A force play at home recorded the first out, while Craig Brazell next grounded into a first base to catcher to first base double play to end the scoring threat. The Suns again loaded the bases in the tenth inning, this time with two out, but Tony Abreu flied out to right field to prolong the Friday night affair.

On the other side, the Suns bullpen continued its early season brilliance, by allowing only three Montgomery baserunners through the final six innings of the ballgame. Carlos Alvarez, Jose Diaz, Alvis Ojeda and Mark Alexander all saw time in relief of starter Joel Hanrahan.

The Suns finally had enough in the twelfth inning as with two out Wilkin Ruan grounded a ball to second and beat the throw to the pitcher Yorkin Ferreras covering the bag. When Ferreras bobbled the ball, Justin Ruggiano, who had walked to lead off the inning and stolen second base, crossed the plate as the game-winning run.

Mark Alexander (2-1) picked up the victory as Montgomery's Yorkin Ferreras (0-2) fell in defeat.

The final game of the series and homestand is set for Saturday night at 7:05. It will be a battle of right-handers as Montgomery's Chris Flinn (0-0, 4.50) and Jacksonville's Spike Lundberg (0-0, 2.25) will square off in the series-deciding tilt. Saturday is Jackie Robinson Night at the Baseball Grounds as the first 3,000 in the park will receive Brooklyn caps. The Suns will also wear special number 42 Brooklyn jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game, sponsored by Swisher International, the Jacksonville Urban League, Gateway Center Mall and V101.5 FM. Tickets are available by calling the Suns box office at 904.358.2846.

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Southern League Stories from April 14, 2006


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