Suns Fall to Blue Wahoos 7-4

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The Jacksonville Suns (29-33, 59-72) fell to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (33-29, 74-58) by a 7-4 score in the second game of the five-game series at Blue Wahoos Stadium on Sunday night.

The Suns scored four runs in the top of the first to take an early 4-0 lead, only to see the Wahoos score the game's next seven runs to earn their second straight win in the series.

Suns reliever Ryan Chaffee (2-2) took the loss, while Wahoos reliever Evan Mitchell (3-1) earned the win. Kyle McMyne pitched a scoreless ninth for Pensacola to earn his fifth save of the year.

After the first three Suns batters reached base against Wahoos starter Jackson Stephens, Brian Anderson brought in the first runs of the game with a two-run single to give the Suns a 2-0 lead. Jacksonville grew the lead to 3-0 on a bases loaded walk to Peter Mooney and then 4-0 when Sharif Othman brought in a run with a groundout. Stephens did not face another batter, only going two thirds of an inning where he allowed four runs on three hits in his shortest start of the year.

The Wahoos got two runs back in the bottom of the first off Suns starter Chris Mazza. Brandon Dixon delivered an RBI double before Vincey scored Dixon on an RBI single to cut Jacksonville's lead to 4-2. The Wahoos tied the contest in the bottom of the fourth on a two-run home run by Chad Wallach.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the seventh. With runners at first and second and two gone, a Chaffee pitch bounced off the glove of Suns catcher Sharif Othman, with the lead runner Ronald Bueno breaking for third on the passed ball. Othman picked up the ball but threw high to third for a throwing error that scored Bueno to give Pensacola a 5-4 lead. The batter at the plate Sebastian Elizalde also delivered an RBI double to put Pensacola's lead at 6-4 through the first seven innings. Pensacola added a run in the eighth with a pinch-hit RBI single by Phillip Ervin to put the score at 7-4, which would be the final.

Miami Marlins second baseman Derek Dietrich went 2-for-4 with a walk, hitting singles in his first two at-bats in his second game with the Suns on his rehab assignment.

The Suns and Wahoos will continue their series on Monday with the third game of the five-game set at Blue Wahoos Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Suns will start right-hander Luis Castillo (0-0, 1.50 ERA) against Pensacola right-hander Barrett Astin (8-3, 2.45 ERA). Fans can listen to the game on the Suns Baseball Network, beginning at 7:15 p.m. with the pregame show "Suns On Deck" on FM 102.3 The Beach, the TuneIn Radio app, and www.jaxsuns.com.

The Suns begin their final home series Thursday against Mobile with Mavericks Live Thirsty Thursday fueled by Budweiser, when fans 21 and over can purchase $1 12-oz. and $2 24-oz. beers adjacent to the new Budweiser Tiki Terrace, under the left-field video board, at the right-field bleachers, and behind section 115. The game is also presented by 95.1 WAPE and X102.9.

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.