Urena Nearly Untouchable as Suns Blank Smokies 6-0
June 5, 2014 - Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release
JACKSONVILLE, FL - With Jose Urena tossing eight brilliant shutout innings, the Jacksonville Suns (32-29) blanked the Tennessee Smokies (28-32) by a 6-0 final Thursday night at Bragan Field in the opener of a five-game series.
Listen to manager Andy Barkett's postgame comments here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?vjtObHrQehYI
Jose Urena (W, 6-3) earned his sixth win of the season by throwing eight scoreless innings Thursday night, allowing three hits while only walking one batter and striking out seven Smokies. Urena's eight innings and seven strikeouts each tied season highs for the 22-year-old right-hander.
Nick Wittgren worked around a leadoff double to retire the final three hitters he faced in a scoreless ninth inning, preserving the shutout for Jacksonville on Thursday night.
After struggling with his command early in the ballgame, Julio Rodriguez (L, 1-2) wound up with the loss after allowing five runs (all earned) on just three hits in four-plus innings of work. Rodriguez struck out three Suns but also walked six batters, including four of the first seven batters he faced to start the ballgame.
After drawing three walks to load the bases in the bottom of the first, the Suns opened up the scoring as Joe Benson grooved a two-out, two-run double through the right side of the infield to give Jacksonville a 2-0 lead.
That score held until the Suns plated three additional runs in the bottom of the fifth. The Suns received RBI singles from Austin Nola and Brady Shoemaker, with their third run coming across on a double play ball to take a 5-0 lead over Tennessee.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Isaac Galloway came in to score on Austin Nola's sacrifice fly to give the Suns a 6-0 advantage, capping off the scoring on Thursday night.
The Suns and Smokies will be back at it on Friday night, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. ET at Bragan Field. The Suns are likely to start the lefty Chipper Smith (5-3, 4.76), with the Smokies having not yet announced their game two starter.
Suns fans can listen to Friday's game on the Suns Baseball Network, 94.1 WSOS-FM or through www.jaxsuns.com, MiLB.com or the Suns iPhone or Android app, beginning at 6:50 p.m. ET with the Memorial Hospital Suns Pregame Show.
The 2014 season of Suns baseball is presented by EverBank, the official banking partner of the Jacksonville Suns. Sponsorships, group outings, and season / individual game tickets are currently available by calling the Suns front office at (904) 358-2846.
Southern League Stories from June 5, 2014
- Barons' Rally Falls Short in 4-3 Loss to Generals - Birmingham Barons
- Biscuits Allow Four Home Runs in a 13-2 Loss - Montgomery Biscuits
- Olson Goes Eight As Generals Hang On For 4-3 Win - Jackson Generals
- Kubitza Slams M-Braves Past Lookouts - Mississippi Braves
- Urena and Suns Shut Out Smokies 6-0 - Knoxville Smokies
- Urena Nearly Untouchable as Suns Blank Smokies 6-0 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- BayBears, Stars Game Postponed Thursday - Mobile BayBears
- 2014 Southern League All-Star Game Will Feature the ZOOperstars, BirdZerk and Fireworks - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Seven BayBears Named Southern League All-Stars - Mobile BayBears
- Rafael Furcal Returns to Suns on MLB Rehab Assignment - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
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