Suns walk past Shuckers, 8-5, to win series

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Trailing 5-4 in the eighth inning, the Jacksonville Suns drew five walks - including three that forced home runs - in a four-run inning for an 8-5 win and five-game series victory over the Biloxi Shuckers in front of 4,966 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville Thursday night.

Through the first five innings, Suns right-hander Hunter Adkins shut out Biloxi (15-25 second half, 54-55 overall) on one hit and one walk. In the third inning, Suns left fielder Austin Dean hit a one-out solo home run out of the ballpark to left field, and third baseman Brian Anderson tripled to center field before scoring on right-hander Jorge Lopez's wild pitch.

Jacksonville (19-21, 49-61) grew the lead in the fifth inning. Center fielder Kenny Wilson led off with a bunt single, stole second base and reached third on a throwing error by Shuckers catcher Jacob Nottingham. With the infield in, shortstop J.T. Riddle chopped an RBI single to right field. It extended Riddle's hitting streak to 23 games - the longest in the Southern League this season and best by a Sun in the Marlins affiliation era that began in 2009. Riddle scored on another wild pitch.

Biloxi trimmed the 4-0 lead in the sixth inning, as center fielder Tyrone Taylor hit a two-run home run to make it 4-2. Adkins finished six innings, allowing three hits and one walk with six strikeouts. In the seventh inning, Suns right-hander Andre Rienzo threw a wild pitch to allow a baserunner on a strikeout, and second baseman Javier Betancourt hit a game-tying two-run home run. Shortstop Angel Ortega singled, stole second base and scored on Phillips' go-ahead RBI single.

After right-hander Tyler Kinley (2-1) pitched a scoreless top of the eighth inning, the pivotal bottom of the inning began with Anderson and right fielder Alex Glenn hitting consecutive singles, before first baseman Garrett Weber walked against right-hander Junior Rincon (0-1). Left-hander Steve Peterson walked second baseman Peter Mooney to tie the game, and after a double play, he walked three straight batters, scoring two runs for a 7-5 Suns lead. Riddle's RBI single off left-hander Mitch Lambson made it 8-5. Suns right-hander Tayron Guerrero worked a perfect ninth inning to earn his first save.

UP NEXT: The Suns open a series in Chattanooga at 7:15 p.m. Friday, when Suns right-hander Chris Mazza (3-3) is scheduled to face Lookouts right-hander Aaron Slegers (8-5). The Suns return home against Mississippi for Maverick's Live Thirsty Thursday, when $1 12-oz. and $2 24-oz. beers are sold adjacent to the new Budweiser Tiki Terrace, under the video board, at the right-field bleachers and behind section 115. The nightly theme celebrates the 20th anniversary of the film Jerry Maguire with "Show Me the Money" Night. The game is presented by 95.1 WAPE and X102.9.

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.