
The Suns topped the Mississippi Braves 6-3 in the first meeting of the season between the two teams June 13, 2012 at Trustmark Park. Photo Courtesy: Jacksonville Suns
By Steve Kolbe
The Suns score two insurance runs in the ninth inning against relief pitcher Andrew Russell. With one out, Paul Gran and Jose Duarte both singled to put runners on the corners. Donnie Webb hit a deep fly ball to right field, with Gran scoring on the sacrifice to pad the lead to 5-3. Gutierrez then completed another big night with his second double of the game, driving in Duarte from third and giving the Suns a comfortable 6-3 lead. The Suns are 17-0 this season when scoring six or more runs in a game.
For the Suns, Chris Gutierrez finished 2-for-5, drove in a run and also scored. He extended his hit streak to 12 games with his eighth multi-hit game of the season. Kyle Skipworth went 3-for-4, with a run scored, and added his 29th RBI of the year. It’s the third time this season that Skipworth has had three or more hits in a game. Paul Gran had two singles for his sixth multi-hit game. Joe Leonard provided most of the offense for the Braves, collecting three of the their seven hits.
Omar Poveda won his third straight decision to improve to 6-2. He pitched six and two-thirds innings, allowing three runs on six hits. Poveda hasn’t lost since being shuffled back to first in the Suns pitching rotation. Suns All-Star A.J. Ramos entered the game with two outs in the eighth inning, and slammed the door on the Braves the rest of the way for his fourth save of the season.
Mississippi starter Zeke Spruill suffered the loss to drop to 5-6 on the season. He allowed four runs, but only one earned, on six hits in his seven innings of work. He was the victim of the shaky fielding behind him. Spruill matched his season high by striking out eight Suns batters.
The Suns improved their road record to 18-13. Overall, Jacksonville has won five of the last seven games. The Braves have now dropped nine of their last 12, and will finish last in the South Division.
Game two of the series is Thursday from Trustmark Park with the first pitch scheduled for 7:00 p.m. local time. The Suns will hand the ball to LHP Jose Alvarez (1-3, 4.19) for his 12th start of the season. The Braves send RHP Gary Moran (1-5, 3.50) to the mound for his 10th start of the year.