Suns Drop Rubber Match with BayBears 7-2

Jacksonville Drops Seventh Series of Second Half, Suns Start Homestand Tomorrow

By Kyle Crooks

August 1, 2015

MOBILE, Ala. - The Jacksonville Suns (12-23, 41-63) were topped in the rubber match with the Mobile BayBears (21-13, 55-48) 7-2 Saturday night from Hank Aaron Stadium.

Mobile starter John Omahen (W, 5-0) worked six frames relinquishing two runs (both earned) on nine hits while walking one and striking out four. Austin Brice (L, 3-8) in his start for the Suns lasted five and a third innings surrendering seven runs (six earned) on six hits (two home runs) while walking four and striking out four. Jake Barrett (S, 2) earned his second save of the year hurling a scoreless ninth.

The Suns would mount a rally in the top of the first frame when they got Kenny Wilson and Carlos Lopez on courtesy of a pair of singles. A few batters later Zack Cox laced a two-out RBI single to put Jacksonville ahead 1-0.

Flashing to the last of the second, it was Garett Weber working a one out walk to then get driven home courtesy of a Rudy Flores RBI double, which would tie the game at one.

Flashing ahead to the fourth frame the BayBears worked the bases loaded. Singles by Sean Jamieson and Socrates Brito, followed by a walk to Zach Borenstein, set up a bases loaded walk for Weber that leaped the BayBears in front 2-1. With the bases still full, Brice would then offer up a wild pitch to force in a run and push the Suns deficit to 3-1. To round out the three-run inning Ronnie Freeman bounced a RBI groundout to create a 4-1 cushion for Mobile.

Moving to the top of the fifth the Suns received a lead off single from Chadd Krist, followed by a run scoring double by Wilson trimmed the Suns deficit to 4-2.

In the bottom of the sixth Mobile had a runner on for a Flores (HR, 11) two-run home run over the wall in right center field to move the BayBears ahead 6-2. Stewart Ijames (HR, 2) then two batters later mashed a solo home run to make it a 7-2 ballgame.

Casey McCarthy out of the Suns bullpen worked an inning and two-thirds in scoreless fashion. Tyler Higgins in relief for Jacksonville worked a perfect eighth inning.

The Suns will open up a five-game series at home with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Sunday night with a first pitch set for 6:05 p.m. ET The Suns will send out left-hander Jarlin Garcia (0-1, 7.94 ERA) while the Wahoos have yet to announce their starter.

To kick off the homestand Sunday all kids get free admission by showing their Library Card at the Suns box office and one lucky boy and one lucky girl will win a bicycle. All kids will get a Suns Lanyard as a back to school gift. After the game, all kids can run the bases, presented by VyStar Credit Union! If you can't make it to the game, you can watch the game live locally on CW-17 with Suns broadcaster Roger Hoover and Suns President/Owner Peter Bragan, Jr. on the call. All presented by Bug Out Jacksonville Public Library, CW17 and 96.1 WEJZ.

Suns fans can also listen to Sunday's game on the Suns Baseball Network, 1600 AM & 102.3 FM "The Beach" or through www.jaxsuns.com, MiLB.com, or the TuneIn radio app, coverage will start with a special "Suns Sunday" edition of the Memorial Hospital Suns Pregame Show beginning at 5:35 p.m. ET.

The 2015 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.

Here are the highlights from tonight's contest: