Jacksonville Looks To Bounce Back Against Braves

The Suns (12-14) continue the road series against Mississippi (11-15) tonight with first of three consecutive to be played under the lights. The home team holds a 1-0 advantage after securing a 5-1 victory Wednesday afternoon. Game two with the Braves is scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Mississippi used a four run frame to take control of the opener. Suns starter Anthony DeSclafani (L, 3-3, 4.50) seemed to be cruising through the first three innings, then ran into trouble in the fourth. A two-run home run by Seth Loman and an RBI triple from David Rohm were the big blows.

Among the main story lines for the Suns, the team's inability to plate runners regularly occupying the base paths to begin the club's offensive innings. The opportunities were there against Aaron Northcraft (W, 2-1, 3.24), timely hits were not. Jacksonville ended the day just 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position, leaving nine men on base.

Tonight marks the second of ten total games between the South Division rivals. The remianinng four games of the current series seem elevated in importance due to the teams current position in the Southern League standings. They also serve as the only head to head meetings for the Braves and Suns in the first half.

Jacksonville won the series over Mississippi last season 6 games to 4, winning both the home and away sets by identical 3 games to 2 decisions. The teams are scheduled to meet for only a single series in each city again this year. Once this week's contests in Pearl, Miss. are complete, the clubs will not meet again until August 6-10 at The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

The Suns and Braves face off at the same time their parent organizations are the midst of a three game National League Eastern Division series. The Marlins have taken the first two games by final scores of 9-0 and 9-3. The Marlins will go for the sweep tonight in Miami.

The Double-A edition of this organizational battle will see the Marlins number one overall prospect, left-hander Andrew Heaney (2-1, 2.25), take the mound tonight. He will be opposed by righty David Bromberg (0-2, 2.70) for the Braves. Bromberg enters the game still seeking his first win of 2014.

Fans can listen to the game live on the Suns Baseball Network, with the "Voice of the Suns" Roger Hoover providing play by play. Hoover is now in his third season as Jacksonville's Director of Broadcasting. He is assisted by Michael West and Jason Patterson. West and Patterson will host the Memorial Hospital Suns Pre-game Show beginning at 7:45 p.m. ET on the Suns Baseball Network.

Matchup: Mississippi (11-15, T-4th SL South) @ Jacksonville (12-14, 3rd SL South)

Starters: JAX : LHP Andrew Heaney (2-1, 2.25) MIS: RHP David Bromberg (0-2, 2.70)

Series: Mississippi leads 1-0

Who's Hot: J.T. Realmuto (.300, 3 HR, 15 RBI) (drove in the Suns only run Wednesday)

Sun Spots: Here are few notes to consider heading into tonight's game, direct from the official Suns game notes compiled by Michael West:

- Prior to Thursday's ballgame, RHP James Nygren was added to AAA New Orleans from Jacksonville, with the Suns adding RHP Jheyson Manzueta to their roster from A+ Jupiter.
- Jacksonville squandered numerous scoring chances on Tuesday, finishing 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position, leaving nine men on base in the process.
- Brady Shoemaker is hitting .378 (14-for-37) on the road with a .521 on-base percentage.
- In his last six starts in the lineup, Alex Burg has had a multi-hit game in five of those contests (he's hitting 10-for-21 with 4 RBI and 2 walks in his last six starts).

Tonight's broadcast will air on the Suns Baseball Network's flagship station 94.1 Classic Rock WSOS-FM. It can also be found via the Suns' mobile app. Click the link below to listen online.

Listen Live to the Suns and Braves - May 1, 2014

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