JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Suns (6-7) were stifled at the plate against the Biloxi Shuckers (8-5) who picked up a 5-1 win and a series victory Thursday night from Bragan Field.
Earning the victory for Biloxi was Hobbs Johnson (W, 1-0) tossing five scoreless innings allowing only one hit on two walks and six strikeouts. Suns starter Austin Brice (L, 0-2) took the loss lasting 3 and 1/3 innings relinquishing five earned runs on seven hits (one home run) while walking two and striking out four.
The scoring began in the bottom of the third inning for Biloxi, and with two runners on and one out, that set up Nick Ramirez (HR, 4) to blast a three-run shot into right leaping his squad out to a 3-0 lead.
In the fourth frame the Shuckers would add to their lead. With the bases loaded, Yadiel Rivera would ground into a RBI fielder’s choice to swell the Shuckers advantage to 4-0. In the same frame, and Suns reliever Lay Batista on the mound, Orlando Arcia grounded a RBI single into left to push Biloxi to a 5-0 edge through four innings.
In the ninth Jacksonville avoided the shutout when Zack Cox scored via a wild pitch from Shuckers reliever Martin Viramontes to create the final score of 5-1.
Lay Batista worked 2 and 2/3 innings out of the Suns bullpen allowing no runs on one hit. Blake Logan lasted two scoreless innings surrendering two hits in relief for Jacksonville.
The Suns and Shuckers will square off again Friday night from Bragan Field with a first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. ET. The Suns will send out left-hander Matt Tomshaw (0-1, 2.70 ERA) to the mound to be opposed by Shuckers righty Jorge Lopez (0-2, 9.00 ERA).