The Jacksonville Suns (10-14, 47-47) earned a series victory over the Birmingham Barons (11-14, 51-44) with a 6-1 win at Regions Park on Monday night.
Jacksonville starter Brad Hand (9-2) pitched seven strong innings, allowing only a run on four hits. Hand’s solid start allowed the Suns to take their fourth game of the six game series in the final matchup between the ballclubs in the 2011 season. Barons starter Justin Edwards (3-4) took the loss, his second defeat in the series against the Suns.
The Suns took an early 2-0 lead in the second inning with Kevin Mattison hitting a two-RBI single. Jacksonville tacked on a run in the third on Kyle Skipworth’s RBI single before Luke Montz hit an RBI double in the fourth to increase the lead to 4-0.
The Suns added two more runs in the sixth inning before the Barons would score in the bottom of the frame. Alden Carrithers hit an RBI double to put the score at 6-1, wh ich would be the final. Following Hand’s seven strong innings, Kris Harvey threw a scoreless eighth before Jhan Marinez finished the game with a scoreless ninth to close out the season series as the Suns won 6-1.
The Suns will have Tuesday off before beginning a five-game home series against the Mississippi Braves, starting Wednesday night at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Right-hander Joey O’Gara (6-6, 4.04 ERA) will pitch for Jacksonville against Mississippi’s right-hander Randall Delgado (5-4, 3.54 ERA). Wednesday’s first pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
