Smokies top the Suns, 5-4

The Tennessee Smokies (12-12) used three home runs and timely pitching to win 5-4 over the Jacksonville Suns (14-10) at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville on Saturday night.

The victory gives Tennessee the series win over the Suns, who lead the Southern League's South Division.

Starter Jay Jackson made his first appearance since being the winning pitcher in the Southern League All-Star Game in Birmingham, Ala., on Monday, and he earned the victory to give him a winning record for the year. Jackson pitched five innings and allowed two runs on five hits, and he struck out seven Suns.

The first three innings were scoreless, but the game heated up in the top of the fourth. The Smokies hit four home runs in the frame, with Ty Wright and Doug Deeds hitting solo shots, and Welington Castillo connecting on a two-run blast to make it 4-0.

Things got interesting later in the inning as both benches cleared after a pitched ball was thrown behind Jonathan Mota and nearly hit him. Mota walked towards the mound but no punches or contact occurred. Jacksonville starter Sean West was ejected for the incident, and he takes the loss to fall to 4-3 on the season.

After a new pitcher entered for Jacksonville, Mota struck out swinging but a throwing error from Suns catcher Brad Davis allowed Tony Thomas to score to make it 5-0. The Smokies went on to bat around in the frame before Wright flied out to left to end the inning.

The Suns countered in their half of the fourth with a solo home run for Mike Stanton to put the score at 5-1. An inning later, Lorenzo Scott also hit a solo home run to make it 5-2.

Alex Maestri entered in relief for Jackson, and pitched a scoreless sixth inning before running into trouble in the seventh. He left with the bases loaded and one out, but reliever Jayson Ruhlman allowed an RBI single to make it a 5-3. A fielding error by Smokies first baseman Russ Canzler allowed another Suns run, but Marco Carillo entered in relief and got the final out, with the score at 5-4.

Carillo worked a scoreless eighth before Jake Muyco finished the game with a scoreless ninth inning to earn his first save of the season.

The Smokies will finish the series tomorrow with a 5:05 first pitch at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Southern League All-Star Casey Coleman (9-4) will pitch for Tennessee, and will be opposed by Jacksonville southpaw Graham Taylor (4-6).

Tennessee returns to Smokies Park on July 21 for five games against the Mississippi Braves. The series will span July 21-25, highlighted by Dale Murphy Night on July 23. Tennessee is the AA-affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Mississippi is that of the Atlanta Braves. Tickets can be purchased by calling 286-2300 or by visiting www.smokiesbaseball.com.

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