Suns blow past Blue Wahoos 10-3

The Jacksonville Suns scored runs in five of their first six at-bats and cruised to a 10-3 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in front of 4,159 fans on Wednesday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.

Despite the lopsided score, the night was a win for everyone at the ballpark, including Tristan Laurent who participated in the Sacred Heart Home Run for Life. Laurent, a member of the West Florida High School baseball team, was recently diagnosed with brain cancer. As part of the Home Run for Life, every player from both teams greeted Laurent during his lap on the field and he also received a bat signed by the entire Blue Wahoos team.

In the game, the Suns got a leadoff homer from Danny Black in the first and that was just a sign of things to come. Kyle Jensen blasted a two-run home run in the third to open up a three-run lead. It was part of a big night from Jensen, who finished a triple shy of the cycle and went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and four RBI.

In the fourth inning, Jacksonville continued to hit around Pensacola starter Tim Crabbe, connecting on five consecutive two-out hits to score three runs. Derek Dietrich tripled home two prior to a Jensen RBI single. Mark Canha smacked a solo shot in the fifth for Jacksonville's third homer of the contest, giving the Suns a 7-3 lead.

Crabbe (1-1) gave up seven runs on 14 hits in his 4.2 frames while allowing the three solo dingers. Prior to tonight's start, Crabbe was third in the league in opponents batting average and had given up just four knocks in his prior two outings.

The Suns offense battered newcomer Shaun Ellis in his 1.1 innings, posting three more tallies in the sixth with RBI's coming from Jensen, Cox, and Canha. Jacksonville ended up with 18 hits, which tied a Blue Wahoos record for most hits allowed in a single contest. J.T. Realmuto had four of the 18 hits while scoring three times.

Pensacola got all three of its runs in the bottom of the third against Jacksonville starter Adam Conley. With the bases loaded and one out, Donald Lutz drew a walk to make the score 3-1. Steve Selsky followed with a two-run single up the middle to briefly tie the game at three.

Conley only went four innings and thus did not qualify for the win. Edgar Olmos (2-0) picked up the win in relief by tossing two one-hit innings. The Jacksonville bullpen extended its scoreless innings streak to 22 innings dating back to last Saturday.

The Wahoos and Suns continue their five-game set on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. Chad Rogers (1-0, 2.45) will get the start for the Blue Wahoos against Michael Ojala (1-0, 6.00). It's the first Seville Quarter Thirsty Thursday of the season as fans will be able to take advantage of stadium-wide drink specials and will be able to take their tickets to Seville Quarter after the game and receive free admission.

NOTES: 2012 Blue Wahoos pitcher Tony Cingrani has been named the Cincinnati Reds' probable starter for Thursday's contest against Miami. It will be Cingrani's first career Major League start. Additionally, Didi Gregorius has been recalled by the Arizona Diamondbacks in place of starting second baseman Aaron Hill who is out with a broken hand.