Bradley's shutout start leads Braves over Suns, 6-2

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Mississippi Braves left-hander Jed Bradley pitched seven shutout innings, and Braves left fielder Dustin Peterson hit two home runs to lift the visitors to a 6-2 win over the Jacksonville Suns in front of 3,465 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville Sunday afternoon.

After the Suns had snapped Mississippi's eight-game winning streak with a walk-off win Saturday, the Braves (31-17 second half, 65-52 overall) took the lead for good in the first inning Sunday. Second baseman Ozzie Albies and center fielder Connor Lien had consecutive singles against left-hander Matt Tracy (2-4). With one out, Peterson hit a drive over the left-center field fence for a 3-0 Mississippi lead. The Braves made it 4-0 in the second inning, as third baseman Johan Camargo singled with one out, went to second base on Bradley's sacrifice and scored on Albies' RBI single. Tracy allowed four earned runs on eight hits and a walk with six strikeouts in his five innings, before right-hander Tyler Higgins pitched a season-high three shutout innings.

Bradley (7-5) allowed two hits in a scoreless first inning, before retiring 19 of the final 20 batters he faced. He allowed three hits and no walks with eight strikeouts. Jacksonville (23-26, 53-66) reached the scoreboard in the eighth inning against the Braves bullpen. The first two batters walked against left-hander Philip Pfeifer, and second baseman Garrett Weber hit a one-out RBI single. Right-hander Evan Phillips entered to walk center fielder Kenny Wilson, and with two outs, Phillips' bases-loaded walk to shortstop J.T. Riddle forced in a run to make it 4-2. Phillips then struck out third baseman Brian Anderson to end the inning. Phillips' scoreless ninth inning earned his second save.

In the ninth inning, Suns right-hander Tyler Bremer allowed Peterson's two-out, two-run home run to left field that made it 6-2. Both runs were unearned because of Anderson's error earlier in the inning.

UP NEXT: The Suns conclude their series with Mississippi at 7:05 p.m. Monday, when Suns left-hander Dillon Peters (1-0) is scheduled to face Braves right-hander Lucas Sims (4-3). Gates open at 6 p.m. for VyStar Credit Union Charity Begins at Home, which will include Launch-A-Ball to benefit Susan G. Komen ® North Florida and its mission to fight breast cancer (more at komennorthflorida.org). It is First Coast News Night and a Marlins Monday, when fans can enter to win tickets to see the Miami Marlins. The Jax Jams Series continues with an in-game sound track featuring the Jacksonville-originating band Limp Bizkit. Monday's game is also presented by Bank of America and Merrill Lynch.

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.