Suns erase 5-0 deficit, but fall, 7-6 to Lookouts

For Suns pitchers' strikeouts, Fifth Third Bank contributed more than $4,000 to benefit Stand Up To Cancer

By Marco LaNave

August 25, 2016

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Suns rallied from a 5-0 deficit to a 5-5 tie, but the Chattanooga Lookouts scored a pair of ninth-inning runs, and the Suns left the tying and winning runs on base to end a 7-6 Lookouts victory in front of 4,987 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville Thursday night.

The game was scoreless until the third inning, when the Lookouts (32-27 second half, 68-61 overall) scored three runs against Suns right-hander Patrick Johnson. Shortstop Engelb Vielma hit an RBI single, and first baseman D.J. Hicks hit a two-run single to center field for a 3-0 Lookouts lead. Chattanooga right fielder Edgar Corcino's two-run double in the fifth inning made it 5-0. Johnson finished seven innings, allowing five runs - four earned - on nine hits and one walk with five strikeouts. For each strikeout by a Suns pitcher Thursday, Fifth Third Bank donated $530 to Stand Up To Cancer.

Trailing 5-0 in the fifth inning against Lookouts right-hander Ryan Eades, Jacksonville (29-30, 59-70) began a comeback, scoring runs on shortstop Peter Mooney's RBI triple and catcher Cam Maron's RBI single. In the seventh inning, second baseman James Roberts hit a sacrifice fly, and center fielder Kenny Wilson hit a two-out RBI single to trim the deficit to 5-4. After Eades allowed four earned runs on eight hits and one walk with two strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings, right-hander Todd Van Steensel entered. In the eighth inning, Van Steensel allowed a one-out double to Anderson, who later scored on Curley's game-tying sacrifice fly off right-hander Raul Fernandez (3-1).

In the ninth inning, Suns right-hander Tyler Kinley allowed a leadoff single to third baseman Niko Goodrum, who went to third base after a sacrifice and wild pitch. A walk to second baseman Michael preceded center fielder Zach Granite's go-ahead single, and a ground ball by Vielma scored another run. Against Fernandez, the Suns came within 7-6 on left fielder Austin Dean's RBI single, but tag at home plate and Anderson's flyout with runners at first and third bases ended the game.

UP NEXT: The Suns conclude their series with Chattanooga at 7:05 p.m. Friday, when Suns left-hander Matt Tracy (2-5) is scheduled to face Lookouts right-hander Felix Jorge (1-4). NAPA Family Fireworks presented by NAPA Auto Care Center follow the game. On Football Night in Jacksonville presented by Budweiser, each fan will be able to enter the drawings for a pair of tickets to each of eight of the biggest gridiron games this fall, and Jacksonville Jaguars mascot Jaxson de Ville will be at the ballpark. The Suns will wear red jerseys for Red Shirt Friday, and fans who wear red can save $1 per ticket at the box office of donate the $1 to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. The first 1,000 fans receive a Darley's Plumbing Bold City Rally Rag. The game is also presented by Lite 96.1 WEJZ.

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 and group options for this 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.