Shoemaker, Suns strike Braves early for 9-4 win

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville first baseman Brady Shoemaker came within a triple of the cycle, drove in four runs and scored three, while Suns right-hander Jake Esch became the Southern League's first four-game winner in a 9-4 series-opening victory over the Mississippi Braves in front of 3,226 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville Thursday night.

On Maverick's Live Thirsty Thursday fueled by Budweiser, Jacksonville (10-11) poured at least one run onto the scoreboard in each of the first five innings. Esch (4-1) had a 5-0 lead through three innings and left with a 9-3 advantage after striking out five batters in five innings, enough to win his third straight start.

The Suns' first-inning rally began with center fielder Yefri Perez's leadoff walk against Braves right-hander Andrew Thurman (0-2). Perez stole his league-best 15th base and scored on shortstop J.T. Riddle's RBI single to right-center field. A wild pitch put Riddle at second base, from where he scored on Shoemaker's RBI single into center field. Consecutive singles by third baseman Matt Juengel and catcher Francisco Arcia scored Shoemaker for a 3-0 Jacksonville lead.

In the second inning, Esch grounded a leadoff double down the third-base line and scored on Perez's single for a 4-0 lead. In the third inning, Shoemaker led off with his third home run of the season to the right-field bleachers. Thurman allowed the first five earned runs on eight hits in three innings.

Mississippi (7-14) scored its first run in the fourth inning on center fielder Sean Godfrey's RBI double, but the Suns added three runs in the bottom of the inning against right-hander Danny Burawa. Right fielder Jeremias Pineda and Riddle each singled before Shoemaker's two-out double down the first-base line, and Juengel singled Shoemaker home to make it 8-1.

Against Esch, the Braves managed three earned runs on five hits, including a fifth-inning two-run double by left fielder Dustin Peterson. Suns right-handers Victor Araujo and Tyler Higgins each went two innings in relief to finish the game.

UP NEXT: The Suns continue their series with the Braves at 7:05 p.m. Friday, when Suns left-hander Jarlin Garcia (0-0) is scheduled to face Braves right-hander Chris Ellis (2-0). NAPA Family Friday Fireworks presented by NAPA Auto Care Center will follow the game on another Red Shirt Friday, when the Suns wear red jerseys to support military personnel, and fans who wear red save $1 on a ticket at the box office, or may donate the $1 to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.

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.