SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Suns win in last at bat, 4-3

Published on June 23, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Shane Victorino's single over the drawn-in outfield scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth in the Suns' 4-3 victory over the Orlando Rays in front of 2,457 on Monday at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

Victorino, who had struck out in his three previous at bats, lined a fastball from John Benedetti over right fielder Jesus Feliciano, scoring pinch-runner Tarrik Brock and giving the Suns their third last at bat win of the season.

To lead off the inning, B.J. Waszgis drew a walk after being behind 0-2. Brock pinch-ran and was sacrificed to second by Gookie Dawkins. Victorino followed with the game-winning hit.

In the fourth inning, Dawkins hit a two-out, two-run home run off Rays starter Scott Autrey to give the Suns a 3-0 lead. Dawkins has homered in back-to-back games. Autrey, in his first start at Class AA, allowed three runs and seven hits over six innings. He received a no-decision. Benedetti (3-4) earned the loss, pitching the final 2-1/3 innings.

Suns starter Edwin Jackson, who was invited to participate in the All-Star Futures Game at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, July 13, at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago (ESPN2), pitched five innings and allowed two runs. He left with a 3-2 lead but earned a no-decision.

Reliever Steve Langone (3-0) earned the victory in relief but allowed the tying run in the eighth. Right fielder Reggie Abercrombie failed to cut off a ball hit into the right-center field gap, allowing Brooks Badeaux to hit a one-out triple. B.J. Burns followed with a dribbling single past a drawn-in infield to tie the game, 3-3.

Abercrombie (two doubles) and Waszgis led the Suns (33-42 overall, 2-4 second half) with two hits.

The Rays (34-41, 2-4) had two players ejected: pitching coach Dick Bosman in the first inning for arguing balls and strikes and third baseman Juan Salas for contesting an out call on his groundball in the fifth.

Right-hander Alfredo Gonzalez (2-3, 6.32 ERA) is scheduled to face Rays righty Jose Veras (3-6, 3.39) at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday at the Baseball Grounds.

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Southern League Stories from June 23, 2003


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