Yelich's Homer Gives Suns 3-1 Victory
Published on May 8, 2013 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Christian Yelich provided the winning margin for the Jacksonville Suns on Wednesday, hitting a two-run home run in the eighth inning to give the Suns a 3-1 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
The two run victory at Bragan Field at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville marked the third straight game that Yelich has homered in. The number two prospect in the Miami Marlins organization also doubled and scored in the sixth, extending his hitting streak to 14 games in the process.
"He's just fun to watch play," Suns manager Andy Barkett said following his team's 17th victory in 2013. "He's a guy you want to be happy for and pull for. He's just getting big hit after big hit for us."
One night after going 5-for-6 with a homer and pair of triples, Yelich was hitless in his first two at-bats on Wednesday as the Suns (17-12) and Blue Wahoos (12-18) exchanged scoreless frames through the first five innings. Jacksonville starter Sam Dyson allowed just three hits in his five turns on the mound, striking out three and walking none.
"I thought [Dyson] was very solid," Barkett said. "He repeated his delivery, and I thought he did a nice job."
Pensacola left-hander Ryan Dennick matched Dyson pitch for pitch until the bottom of the sixth, when Yelich hit a one-out double off the wall in right field. Two batters later, Kyle Jensen's drive into the gap in left-center broke the scoreless tie, giving Jacksonville a 1-0 lead.
The Suns would maintain the advantage until the eighth. After two scoreless innings from left-hander Edgar Olmos in relief of Dyson, Scott McGough (3-0) took over and allowed the tying run a bloop double by Joe Mather.
It was only minutes later, however, that Yelich deposited a pitch from Shaun Ellis (0-1) into the right-center field pavilion with a runner on base to give Jacksonville a 3-1 lead.
McGough remained in the game and faced just three hitters in the ninth inning before finishing the game on a double play grounder, handing the Suns the victory in game two of the series.
The Suns will face the Blue Wahoos in game three of the five-game set on Thursday. Jacksonville, looking for its second straight win, will start right-hander Matt Neil (0-2, 4.79), while Pensacola will look to right-hander Daniel Renken (1-2, 3.07). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
Suns fans can listen to Thursday's game on the Suns Baseball Network, 94.1 WSOS-FM, or through jaxsuns.com, MiLB.com or the Suns iPhone or Android app, beginning at 6:50 p.m. with the UF and Shands Suns Pre-Game Show.
Southern League Stories from May 8, 2013
- Pena, Stars Shutout Generals - Huntsville Stars
- Win Streak Snapped as M-Braves Fall 8-4 in Montgomery - Mississippi Braves
- Offense Stammers Behind Ruffin's Strong Outing - Jackson Generals
- Smokies Rallies Fall Short in 14-Inning Marathon Wednesday - Knoxville Smokies
- Barons Outlast Smokies in 14-Inning Marathon - Birmingham Barons
- Yelich, Suns Even Series with 3-1 Win over Wahoos - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Yelich's Homer Gives Suns 3-1 Victory - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Bethancourt Activated, Landoni to Lynchburg - Mississippi Braves
- Rogers Named Reds' Minor League Pitcher of the Month - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Lookouts' Fast Finish Can't Make up for Slow Start - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Generals Game Information (Wednesday, May 8) - Jackson Generals
- Dietrich promoted to Miami - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Ravago Returns to Jacksonville - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Wilkins Homers Twice as Barons Crush Smokies 16-0 - Birmingham Barons
- Stars Drop Series Opener With Generals - Huntsville Stars
- M-Braves Shatter Runs Record in Montgomery, 19-2 - Mississippi Braves
- Wahoos Make It Two Straight, Open Series with 5-4 Win - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Suns Fall Short in 13 Innings, 5-4 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
