Suns' rally falls short in 9-6 loss to Lookouts

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Suns trimmed a 6-1, seventh-inning deficit to 6-5, and later 7-6, but the Chattanooga Lookouts held on for a 9-6 win in front of 2,751 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville Monday night.

Entering the series with five wins in their last six games, the Suns (28-28 second half, 58-68 overall) took the game's first lead in the second inning. Third baseman and Southern League Player of the Week Brian Anderson hit a leadoff single against Lookouts left-hander Stephen Gonsalves (7-1), who loaded the bases with a pair of one-out walks. Suns shortstop Peter Mooney's groundout scored Anderson, but Gonsalves did not allow another run for the rest of his six innings.

Chattanooga (30-26 second half, 66-60 overall) answered in the third inning against Suns right-hander Chris Mazza (5-5). Catcher Jairo Rodriguez led off by reaching on Mooney's error and went to second base on center fielder Zack Granite's sacrifice. Shortstop Engelb Vielma grounded an infield single to first baseman Chris Curley, who threw past Mazza covering first base, allowing Rodriguez to score the tying run. After back-to-back walks loaded the bases, right fielder Edgar Corcino hit a three-run triple down the right-field line for a 4-1 Lookouts lead. Designated hitter D.J. Hicks added an RBI single to make it 5-1. Mazza allowed five runs - four earned - on three hits and four walks in 2 2/3 innings.

After Suns right-hander Tyler Bremer allowed a run in 3 1/3 innings of relief, Jacksonville rallied against the Lookouts bullpen. In the seventh inning, two hits and two walks against left-hander Randy Rosario forced in a run, and right-hander Todd Van Steensel's wild pitch scored another. Designated hitter Alex Glenn's two-run single made it 6-5, before he was stranded at third base to end the inning. The teams traded eighth-inning runs with Vielma's sacrifice fly and Mooney's solo home run to make it 7-6, but Chattanooga added two runs in the ninth inning against right-hander Sean Donatello, giving Lookouts right-hander Raul Fernandez enough insurance for his fourth save in a 9-6 final.

UP NEXT: The Suns continue their series with Chattanooga at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday. The Suns starter is to be announced, while right-hander Aaron Slegers (9-7) starts for the Lookouts. Community First Credit Union Two-For-Tuesday means tickets are 2-for-1 at the box office for Community First Credit Union members using their credit or debit card. On Miller Lite and Coors Lite 2sDay, fans 21 and over can purchase $2 24-oz. Miller Lite and Coors Lite adjacent to the new Tiki Terrace and behind section 115. "Go Green with the Suns" Irish Heritage Night means fans can wear green to get 2-for-1 tickets at the box office, and enjoy Irish music by JFRD Pipes & Drums and Spade McQuade, plus dancing by Legacy Irish Dance Studio. Fans 21 and over can enter to win a whiskey basket from Fionn MacCool's Irish Pub.

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.