Esch Dazzles as Suns Shutout Biscuits 8-0

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Jacksonville Suns (8-8) earned a shutout 8-0 victory over the Montgomery Biscuits (8-7) in the first game of the five-game series at Riverwalk Stadium on Friday night.

Suns starting pitcher Jake Esch earned the win (3-1) with his six scoreless innings of work, where he scattered four hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Biscuits spot starter Jared Mortensen (2-1) took the loss, allowing a pair of runs on three hits in his three innings. The Suns bullpen of Chris Reed and Tyler Kinley didn't allow a run in the last three innings of the night, as the Suns pitching staff collected its first shutout of the season.

The Suns first got on the scoreboard in the top of the third, with J.T. Riddle hitting an RBI single to score Peter Mooney to give the Suns a 1-0 lead. Sharif Othman scored from third base on a wild pitch during the at-bat of Austin Dean to give Jacksonville a 2-0 advantage. Against Biscuits reliever Buddy Borden to begin the top of the fourth, Moises Sierra hit a triple to right field. Sierra quickly scored when a throwing error from catcher Mike Marjama brought him in to make it 3-0 Suns.

In the seventh inning, the Suns brought in two runs when a throwing error by shortstop Jake Hager allowed Brady Shoemaker to reach first safely as Yefri Perez and Riddle scored to make it 5-0. Jacksonville added two more runs in the eighth, thanks to two more Biscuits errors.

In the ninth, the Suns loaded the bases with one out before an RBI groundout by Jeremias Pineda scored Sierra to put the score at 8-0, which would be the final score.

Tomorrow the Suns and Biscuits will square off in the second game of the series at 7:35 p.m. ET. Left-handed pitcher Jarlin Garcia (0-0, 2.93 ERA) will start for Jacksonville against Biscuits right-hander Jacob Faria (0-2, 4.15 ERA). Fans can listen to the game on the Suns Baseball Network, beginning at 7:20 p.m. ET with the pregame show "Suns On Deck" on FM 102.3 The Beach, the TuneIn Radio app, and www.jaxsuns.com.

ABOUT THE SUNS: The Jacksonville Suns are beginning a new era of affordable family fun under new ownership in 2016. With a FUNdamentally Different promotional schedule and a new lineup of ticket packages for the upcoming season, there is a reason for everyone to get part of the action by calling the Suns at (904) 358-2846 or visiting www.jaxsuns.com.