Suns win series, force North Division deadlock
Suns win series, force North Division deadlock
By J.P. SHADRICK
JACKSONVILLE, FL - After a rain delay of nearly three and a half hours, the Jacksonville Suns (33-37) delayed the Huntsville Stars' (41-29) chance to win the first half North Division championship on Sunday during the final day of the Southern League's first half, with a 4-3 victory in front of 3,897 at the Baseball Grounds.
The Suns clinched a series victory over Huntsville with the win, three games to two. West Tenn and Huntsville entered the day tied for first place in the Southern League's North Division. West Tenn's loss to Chattanooga combined with Huntsville's loss to Jacksonville on Sunday forces the first meeting between the teams in the second half to determine the first half champion. The two teams meet Tuesday at Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville, Ala.
Jacksonville opened the scoring in the first inning as Jamie Hoffmann belted a three-run homerun three batters into the game against Huntsville starter Donovan Hand for a 3-0 lead. The Suns added a fourth run in the fourth inning when Gabriel Gutierrez's bloop single scored Shane Justis for a 4-0 advantage.
Suns starter Jesus Castillo held Huntsville in check through the first five innings, allowing only three hits during the first two times through the order. Castillo put down 12 consecutive batters until a one-out single in the sixth inning from Alcides Escobar, who later scored on an Angel Salome single to cut the Suns lead to 4-1. Later, Freddy Parejo singled home Salome and Matt LaPorta cut shave the lead to 4-3.
Jacksonville reliever Travis Schlichting pitched a perfect seventh inning before allowing a single and hit-by-pitch with one out in the eighth inning. Two strikeouts ended the Huntsville threat. Zach Hammes dealt a perfect ninth inning to end the game.
Castillo (5-3) picked up the win for the Suns while Hand (0-1) fell in the loss for the Stars. Hammes (2) saved the game for Jacksonville.
The Southern League first half is now complete, with all teams starting with a 0-0 record on Tuesday to begin the second half. The Suns begin the second half Tuesday at Regions Park in Hoover, Ala. against the Birmingham Barons at 8:05 p.m. ET. Radio coverage is available in Jacksonville on WFXJ-AM 930 or online at jaxsuns.com .
