Suns Down Wahoos

April 23, 2014

The Jacksonville Suns and the Pensacola Blue Wahoos went back-and-forth Tuesday night at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, but in the end, it was the Suns that prevailed 6-5 to assure the series win with a game to play. Travis Mattair put the Wahoos in front with his first home run of the year, a solo shot in the seventh, but the Suns answered with two runs in the bottom of the frame to move ahead for good.

Mattair’s home run snapped a 4-4 tie, but the lead was short lived. The Suns capitalized on a leadoff walk and a hit batsman to move in front. Brady Shoemaker, who reached on the walk, scored on a wild pitch with the bases loaded. Shortly after, J.T. Realmuto scored from third on a ground out to short giving the Suns all they needed for the win. Pensacola had the tying run at second with one out in the eight but couldn’t score, and left the tying run at first in the ninth after a two-out single.

The Blue Wahoos had three two-hit games. Mattair led the way with a 2-for-5 night. He scored twice and drove in two runs. Rey Navarro (2-for-5, R, RBI) and Bryan Anderson (2-for-4, 2 RBI) had the other multi-hit games.

Jon Moscot started but didn’t get a decision. He logged 6.0 innings allowing 4R/3ER on six hits. He walked four and fanned three. Mikey O’Brien (L, 0-1) was tagged with the Suns runs in the seventh, thus getting charged with the loss.

The Blue Wahoos chased Suns starter Justin Nicolino from the game after just 4.2 innings. He was charged with 4R/ER on seven hits with two walks and just one strikeout.  Despite allowing Mattair’s go-ahead home run in the seventh, Edgar Olmos (W, 1-0) picked up the win in just one inning out of the bullpen. Grant Dayton (S, 2) held the Wahoos off over the last two innings to pick up the save.

The series concludes on Wednesday when the Blue Wahoos send RHP Michael Lorenzen (2-1, 1.45) to the mound against Suns RHP Jose Urena (1-2, 6.28). First pitch is set for 12:05 p.m. CT from the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

by Tommy Thrall

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