KODAK, Tenn. - The Jacksonville Suns (24-37, 53-77) were shutout by the Tennessee Smokies (31-30, 70-60) 7-0 Friday night from Smokies Stadium.
Andres Santiago (W, 3-5) finished eight innings scoreless allowing two hits while not walking a batter and striking out six. while Suns starter Chipper Smith (L, 3-4) lasted five frames allowing two runs (both earned) on four hits while walking three and striking out seven.
The Smokies started their threat at the plate in the bottom of the fourth, after Wilson Contreas worked a lead off walk, followed by a double off the bat of Dan Vogelbach that placed runners on the corners and nobody out. It was Jeimer Candelario that laced a RBI single into left that moved the Smokies in front 1-0. Next batter Stephen Bruno, grounded a run-scoring fielder’s choice to shortstop moving the advantage to 2-0 through four frames of play.
Moving to the last of the sixth, the Smokies got their first two runners aboard courtesy of a pair of walks offered up by Suns bullpen arm Fabian Williamson. It was Ryan Dent who mashed a run-scoring single into center moving Tennessee’s edge to 3-0. Jacob Hannemann added a RBI single to push the scoreboard edge to 4-0. With Suns reliever CJ Robinson now in the game, he would offer up a RBI ground out to Albert Almora Jr., and a two-run double to Jacob Hannemann bursting out Tennessee to a 7-0 lead.
Williamson in relief for Jacksonville allowed five runs (all earned) on two hits. CJ Robinson worked three innings out of the bullpen for the Suns allowing one hit while walking one.
The Suns and Smokies will continue their series Saturday night from Smokies Stadium with a first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. ET. Suns will send out right-hander Scott Lyman (1-9, 6.72 ERA) while the Smokies will counter with righty Pierce Johnson (6-2, 2.22 ERA).