By: Kyle Crooks / Jacksonville Suns
KODAK, Tenn., – The Jacksonville Suns (24-40, 53-80) were topped handily by the Tennessee Smokies (34-30, 73-60) 9-1 Monday night from Smokies Stadium.
Smokies starter Ryan Williams (W, 10-2) worked six scoreless innings on four hits while not walking a batter and striking out a pair of batters. Matt Tomshaw (L, 5-10) in his start for Jacksonville lasted five frames surrendering five runs (four earned) on seven hits while walking and striking out three.
The Smokies would strike first in the bottom of the first after Albert Almora Jr. reached second on a fielding error by Suns centerfielder Kenny Wilson. He then came home to score after a throwing error by Suns shortstop Elliot Soto subsequent to a Ryan Dent groundball, that pushed Tennessee in front 1-0.
Flashing ahead to the bottom of the fifth, Jacob Hannemann of the Smokies generated a one out walk to then get knocked home one batter later by Albert Almora Jr.’s RBI triple, to make the tally 2-0. Ryan Dent would then chop a run-scoring single into left scoring Almora Jr., and pushing the scoreboard advantage to 3-0 through five frames of play.
In the sixth the Smokies generated a single and a walk to put a pair of runners on and end the night for Suns lefty Tomshaw. With Jacksonville bullpen arm Esmerling De La Rosa now in the game, he walked the first batter he saw to load the bases with nobody out. Bijan Radmacher promptly laced a bases-clearing three-run triple moving the Smokies comfortably in front 6-0. Next batter Wes Darvill then arched a RBI sacrifice fly to center to make the tally 7-0 in Tennessee’s favor.
To the last of the seventh, and the Smokies loaded the bases with one out. A RBI single by Stephen Bruno, and a run-scoring sacrifice fly by Rademacher, moved Tennessee ahead 9-0.
The Suns got on the scoreboard in the top of the eighth, after Danny Black mashed a pinch-hit RBI double into left, to bring the deficit to 9-1.
Out of the Suns bullpen Esmerling De La Rosa last a pair of innings allowing four runs (all earned) on three hits. Jacksonville righty Tyler Bremer hurled a scoreless eighth frame in relief.
The Suns and Smokies will square off in their series finale Tuesday night from Smokies Stadium with a first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. ET. Suns will send out right-hander Austin Brice (5-9, 4.86 ERA) while the Smokies will counter with lefty Jeffry Antigua (5-4, 4.50 ERA).
Suns fans can also listen to Tuesday’s game on the Suns Baseball Network, 600 AM & 100.3 FM “The Answer” or through http://www.jaxsuns.com, MiLB.com, or the TuneIn radio app, coverage will start with the Memorial Hospital Suns Pregame Show beginning at 6:50 p.m. ET.
The 2015 season of Suns baseball is presented by EverBank, the official banking partner of the Jacksonville Suns. Sponsorships, group outings, and season/individual game tickets are currently available by calling the Suns front office at (904) 358-2846.
Hear the highlights of tonight’s contest:
Shrimp Baseball Network 