Smolinski's Big Hit Gives Suns 9-7 Win

Jake Smolinski's two-run double broke a 7-7 tie in the top of the ninth inning and proved to be the game-winning hit in the Suns' 9-7 victory over the Huntsville Stars at Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville, Ala.

The Suns clinched their second straight series win to begin the 2013 season in the process, having swept a doubleheader over the Stars on Friday. The triumph moved the Suns' mark to 6-3.

For the first time in the series with Huntsville, the Stars struck first, scoring on Jason Rogers' two-run single in the first inning. They'd add another run in the frame to jump ahead 3-0.

The Suns quickly responded, however, scoring twice in the second inning on an RBI triple from Zach Cox and a run-scoring double by Mark Canha.

Trailing 4-2 in the third, the Suns grabbed their first lead of the contest on Kyle Jensen's bases clearing double that put Jacksonville ahead 5-4. They'd add another run later in the inning when Danny Black drew a walk with the bases loaded facing Stars' reliever Alan Williams to extend the lead.

Refusing to go quietly, Huntsville tied the game with two runs off Suns' starter Matt Neil (5.0 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K) in the bottom of the fourth. A throwing error by Neil in the frame aided the Stars' rally.

The Suns added to the back and forth nature of the game two innings later when Derek Dietrich's RBI single gave Jacksonville the lead for the second time. The run put Neil in a position to earn his first win of the season, but the Stars wouldn't allow it to happen.

With James Leverton on in relief of Neil, Mike Walker evened the score on Mike Walker's single to center in the seventh, plating Rogers and tying the game at seven.

The two squads then remained scoreless while the bullpens each held the opposing offense at bay until the ninth. With a pair of runners on, Smolinski drove a Thomas Keeling (0-1) offering down the left field line for a two-run double, giving the Suns their third separate advantage in the game.

Jacksonville wouldn't let its newfound 9-7 lead slip away. Raudel Lazo (1-0), who also pitched a scoreless eighth, retired Brock Kjeldgaard, Walker and Shea Vucinich in order in the bottom of the ninth to secure the Suns win and Lazo's first victory of 2013.

With victories in each of their first two series of the year, the Suns have won two sets to open the season for the first time since 2009.

Jacksonville will look to head to its next stop, a five-game road series with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, with a victory over the Stars in the series finale on Sunday. Right-hander Sam Dyson (0-1, 1.80 ERA) is scheduled to make his second start for the Suns against Huntsville righty Arcenio Leon (0-0, 3.60 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 5:03 p.m. ET.

Suns fans can listen to the game broadcast beginning at 4:33 p.m. with the UF & Shands Suns Sunday Pre Game Show on WSOS-FM 94.1. Other options include listening to live audio through jaxsuns.com or MiLB.com, or through the Suns iPhone or Android app.