By: Kyle Crooks / Jacksonville Suns
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., – The Jacksonville Suns (27-41, 56-81) charged past the Mississippi Braves (36-31, 69-66) 4-1 Saturday night from Bragan Field
Suns starter Jarlin Garcia (W, 1-3) generated six frames relinquishing one run (earned) on three hits while walking three and striking out six. Andrew Thurman (L, 1-4) in his start for the Braves lasted four and two-thirds innings surrendering four runs (all earned) on eight hits while walking three and striking out four. Tyler Higgins (S, 5) tossed a scoreless ninth en route to his fifth save of the year.
The scoring would begin in the bottom of the first after Carlos Lopez and David Adams would reach on a double and a walk respectively. It wasn’t until Ryan Rieger’s RBI single, that Lopez scored, and moved the Suns in front 1-0. Next batter Elliot Soto grounded an infield run-scoring single to second, to double up Jacksonville’s edge to a 2-0 tally.
To the last of the fifth, with a pair of runners on courtesy of a Adams single, and a walk of Viosergy Rosa, Ryan Rieger served up a two-run double down the left field line to move the Suns advantage to 4-0.
Moving to the first of the sixth frame, the Braves generated a pair of runners on for a RBI single by Kevin Ahrens, that got the Braves on the scoreboard, now trailing 4-1.
Alex Burgos out of the Suns bullpen tossed a scoreless seventh in relief. Kyle Fischer generated a scoreless eighth out of the bullpen for Jacksonville.
The Suns and Braves will square off again Sunday night from Bragan Field with a first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. ET. Suns will send out left-hander Matt Tomshaw (5-10, 4.45 ERA) while the Braves will counter with righty Stephen Janas (2-7, 4.23 ERA).
Sunday Night is Fan Appreciation Night, BirdZerk Appearance, Team Photo Giveaway & Holiday Fireworks Spectacular! Thousands of dollars in gifts & prizes will be given away as the Suns say THANK YOU for a great 2015 season and two lucky fans will win a LA-Z-BOY recliner! Plus Catch all of the crazy antics of everyone’s favorite fowl, Birdzerk, who will be on hand and performing throughout the game! Arrive early as the first 3,000 fans get a 2015 Suns Team Photo! Don’t miss your chance to see the latest rides from your local Southern Ford Dealers. After the game, catch a giant Labor Day Celebration/Fan Appreciation Fireworks show with a special tribute to the Home Run and the Ghost of Babe Ruth, presented by your local Southern Ford Dealers, CW17 & 99.1 WQIK!
Suns fans can also listen to Sunday’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 a special “Suns Sunday” edition of the Memorial Hospital Suns Pregame Show beginning at 6:35 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 