Suns Win in Final At-Bat for First Time in 2008
Published on July 22, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - After a Juan Gonzalez three-run homerun tied the game in the eighth inning, Ivan DeJesus, Jr. ended it in the ninth with a single scoring James Tomlin, giving the Jacksonville Suns (47-54, 14-17) a 9-8 victory over the Mobile BayBears (42-58, 13-17) in front of 4,287 Tuesday night at the Baseball Grounds.
The win was Jacksonville's first in their final at-bat during the 2008 season, coming in the 51st home game out of 70. The Suns lead the season series against Mobile nine games to six.
After Mobile scored a second inning run to open the scoring, Jacksonville gained their first lead in the third inning, scoring five runs with two out against Mobile starter Matt Green for a 5-1 advantage. A Jamie Hoffmann triple scored two runs while a Mark Bellhorn single, Green throwing error and Russell Mitchell single each plated runs.
The BayBears chipped away at the lead, scoring another run against Suns starter Jesus Rodriguez in the fourth inning on a Cyle Hankerd double for a 5-2 score.
Rodriguez allowed two runs and six hits over five innings with one walk and four strikeouts.
Mobile added a third run against reliever Jacobo Meque in the seventh inning on a Yunesky Sanchez groundout for a 5-3 Suns lead.
The BayBears regained the advantage in the eighth inning, scoring four runs against Suns reliever Scott Elbert. Gerardo Parra and Rusty Ryal scored on a Cyle Hankerd single, knocking Elbert out of the game in favor of Edwardo Sierra. A fielder's choice and an error scored Bryan Byrne to give Mobile the lead at 6-5. Orlando Mercado's sacrifice fly scored Hankerd for a 7-5 lead, ending the line for Elbert. Yunesky Sanchez later drove home a run charged to Sierra with a fielder's choice to open an 8-5 BayBears lead.
Jacksonville used late heroics to get back in the game as Juan Gonzalez belted his 12th homerun of the season, a three-run blast in the eighth, for an 8-8 deadlock.
In the ninth inning against Mobile reliever Vince Bongiovanni, Suns right fielder James Tomlin tripled off the top of the left-centerfield wall with one out. Ivan DeJesus, Jr. next hit a towering pop-up to right-centerfield that neither centerfielder Chris Rahl nor right fielder Gerardo Parra handled, allowing Tomlin to score the game-winning run.
Sierra (5-1) picked up the win for Jacksonville while Bongiovanni (2-3) fell in the loss for Mobile.
Suns LH James Adkins makes his Double-A debut for Jacksonville against BayBears RH Tony Barnette Wednesday at 1:05 p.m. ET. $14 will buy a box seat, hot dog and large beverage in the final Businessperson's Special of 2008. Tickets are available through the Suns box office at (904) 358-2846 or by visiting jaxsuns.com.
Southern League Stories from July 22, 2008
- Montgomery chases Caridad in 3rd & 4th innings - Knoxville Smokies
- Mudcats hold on for win - Carolina Mudcats
- Suns Win in Final At-Bat for First Time in 2008 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- BayBears' Rally Spoiled by Suns' Comeback - Mobile BayBears
- Mudcats Grab Opener of Series - Huntsville Stars
- Diamond Jaxx rained out - Jackson Generals
- Brewers Sign Gibbons to Minor League Deal - Huntsville Stars
- Today's Game Postponed - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Montgomery Biscuits Roster Transaction - Montgomery Biscuits
- Media Giants vs. Barbour's Bombers at Trustmark Park - Mississippi Braves
- Barons roster moves - Birmingham Barons
- Carolina Mudcats Transactions - Carolina Mudcats
- Todd Redmond Named Southern League Pitcher of the Week - Mississippi Braves
- Bush Joins M-Braves - Mississippi Braves
- Former Baron Richard to Make MLB Debut - Birmingham Barons
- Lookouts Planning Big Saturday Night - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Brewers Roster Moves - Huntsville Stars
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