Suns Grind Out 3-2 Win Over Stars In 13
HUNTSVILLE, AL - It took 13 innings, six pitchers and a timely hit by pitch for the Jacksonville Suns (27-15, 63-49) to earn a hard-fought 3-2 win over the Huntsville Stars (19-23, 65-47) in 13 innings on Friday from Joe Davis Stadium. The Suns now hold a 2-0 series lead.
James Nygren didn't factor into the decision but put forth three scoreless innings in his Friday night start, allowing just two hits while striking out one batter and not walking a single Stars hitter. The righty only needed 30 pitches to get through his three shutout frames.
Frankie Reed shut out the Stars over three hitless innings, only issuing a lone walk while striking out three Stars.
Collin Cargill surrendered a pair of runs (both earned) on three hits in his one inning of work.
Matt Ramsey only allowed two hits over the course of two scoreless frames, with five of his six outs coming via the strikeout.
Nick Wittgren threw two shutout innings, only giving up one hit while striking out a pair of Stars.
Steve Ames (W, 2-1) earned his second win of the year by holding Huntsville off the scoreboard in his two innings of relief, allowing a walk and a hit while striking out two Stars in his winning effort.
Manny Barreda (L, 0-1) took the loss for Huntsville after allowing an unearned run on one hit while walking and striking out one batter each.
The game remained scoreless until the Stars manufactured a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Sacrifice flies from Robinzon Diaz and Hainley Statia gave Huntsville a 2-0 lead after seven innings of play.
The Suns struck back with two runs of their own in the next half inning to tie the game back up. Back-to-back two-out RBI singles from Alex Burg and Brent Keys made it a 2-2 ballgame when the top of the eighth inning came to a close.
That 2-2 score held through regulation and into the 13th inning when the Suns grabbed their first lead of the game. With the bases loaded and two outs, Terrence Dayleg was hit by an 0-2 pitch from Manny Barreda to allow the Suns to take a 3-2 lead in the top of the 13th inning.
Austin Nola reached base all six times in Friday's win, finishing 4-for-4 at the plate with a pair of the walks. Nola is now the only Jacksonville Sun to register two four-hit games on the 2014 season.
The Suns and Stars will be back at it on Saturday, with first pitch set for 6:30 p.m. CT (7:30 p.m. ET). The Suns will start right-hander Robert Morey (2-2, 5.45) while the Stars will send out a righty of their own in Eric Marzec (1-2, 3.50).
Suns fans can listen to Saturday's game on the Suns Baseball Network, 94.1 WSOS-FM or through www.jaxsuns.com, MiLB.com or the Suns iPhone or Android app, beginning at 7:15 p.m. ET with the Memorial Hospital Suns Pregame Show.
The 2014 season of Suns baseball is presented by EverBank, the official banking partner of the Jacksonville Suns. Sponsorships, group outings, and season / individual game tickets are currently available by calling the Suns front office at (904) 358-2846.
Below are two highlights from Friday's ballgame: