Suns Take Smokies Finale 5-2

KODAK, Tenn. - The Jacksonville Suns (28-27, 58-67) defeated the Tennessee Smokies (21-33, 49-75) by a 5-2 score in the fifth and final game of the five-game series at Smokies Stadium on Sunday night.

The Suns won four of five against the Smokies in this series, and finish the year going 6-4 against Tennessee.

Suns starter Dillon Peters (3-0) earned his third straight Southern League win, allowing only two runs on three hits during his five innings of work with a walk and two strikeouts. Smokies starter Zach Hedges (3-2) took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Suns reliever Tayron Guerrero earned his third save of the year by getting the final three outs in the ninth inning.

Two batters into the game, the Suns took the game's first lead. Kenny Wilson led off the game with a double, then scored on an Austin Dean RBI single that put the Suns in front 1-0. The Smokies tied the game in the bottom of the second when David Freitas hit a solo homer to even the score at one.

The Suns broke the tie in the top of the fourth with Brian Anderson hitting a leadoff home run to put Jacksonville in front 2-1. The Suns added to the scoreboard in the inning with an RBI single by James Roberts that made it 3-1 Suns. The Smokies got back to within a run in the bottom of the fourth when Kelly Dugan brought home Freitas on a groundout to second that cut Jacksonville's lead to 3-2.

The bats stayed alive for the Suns in the top of the fifth, with Dean and Anderson both collecting RBI doubles to grow the lead to 5-2, which would be the final.

After Travis Ballew worked a scoreless eighth for the Suns, he gave up a single to Freitas to begin the ninth, then walked two batters to load the bases with nobody out. Guerrero came in from the bullpen and struck out pinch-hitter Ben Carhart for the first out, before Trey Martin flew out to right field for the second out. Guerrero got the final out when Jason Vosler flew out to centerfield to end the game in a Suns win, with the Smokies stranding the bases loaded.

The Suns return home tomorrow at 7:05 p.m., for VyStar Credit Union Charity Begins at Home, which will include Launch-A-Ball to benefit City Year Jacksonville. For Bark in the Park, dogs get in free with a paying human companion. It is also a First Coast News Night and a Marlins Monday, when fans can enter to win tickets to see the Miami Marlins.

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.