JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jackson Generals (1-0) pitching staff stifled the Jacksonville Suns (0-1) holding them to only three hits, in a 2-0 victory for the Generals on Thursday night from Bragan Field.
James Gillheeney (W, 1-0) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for the Generals going 2 and 1/3 innings of scoreless work allowing two hits two walks while striking out three. Brian Ellington (L, 0-1) took the loss for the Suns coming out of the bullpen manufacturing 1 and 1/3 innings while relinquishing two runs on three hits walking one and striking out a solo batter.
The only scoring came in the top of the ninth inning when Jackson’s Jordy Lara ripped a triple to set the table with one out. Jackson would draw first blood against Sun’s right-hander Ellington when Gabriel Guerrero laced a RBI single scoring Lara to give Jackson the 1-0 lead. Next batter, Jabari Henry followed that up with a RBI double to push the Generals lead to 2-0.
The Suns first threatened in this pitcher’s duel in the fifth, after Matt Juengel led off the stanza with a single and a stolen base. After a groundout, Juengel would move to third but Landazuri would end the threat after getting a groundout of Brandon Bantz.
The Generals would load the bases in the seventh inning, but Suns reliever Craig Stem would end any further threat by striking out the next three batters in order. Jacksonville would do the same in the bottom of the inning, after working the bases full; Generals reliever James Gillheeney would strike out Bantz to end the inning.
Trevor Williams worked a spectacular six innings in his opening day start, striking out nine Generals while only allowing one hit in his no decision. Stephen Landazuri also looked strong in six innings while surrendering one hit and striking out five.
The Suns and Generals will be back at it tomorrow with first pitch at Bragan Field slated for 7:05 p.m. ET. The Suns will send right-hander Jake Esch to the mound for his first start against Generals southpaw Scott DeCecco in his opening appearance.
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.