Huntsville Stars Top Jacksonville Suns 4-1 - AA, Southern League

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com - JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Mat Gamel recorded three hits, Matt LaPorta belted his league-leading 19th homerun while starter Brae Wright allowed three hits over seven innings leading the Huntsville Stars (41-28) to a 4-1 Saturday night victory over the Jacksonville Suns (32-37) in front of 6,271 at the Baseball Grounds.
 
With the win, the current series is tied two games a piece with Huntsville leading the season series seven games to two.
 
Huntsville started the scoring in the first inning when Alcides Escobar scored on an Angel Salome groundout for a 1-0 lead. Jacksonville answered in the bottom of the first inning as Mark Bellhorn singled home Jamie Hoffmann for a 1-1 score.
 
Suns starter Mario Alvarez left the game as scheduled after one inning, one day after being activated from the disabled list. Reliever Scott Elbert followed Alvarez with two innings of work, allowing only one walk with a strikeout.
 
ADVERTISEMENT Huntsville starter Brae Wright settled in after the first inning, allowing only one hit after the two first inning singles. The left-hander went seven innings, allowing one run on three hits with four walks and two strikeouts.
 
The Stars took the lead during the fifth inning against Suns reliever Marlon Arias when Alcides Escobar scored on a wild pitch for a 2-1 lead. Jacksonville ended the night with four wild pitches between Alvarez, Arias and third reliever Brian Akin.
 
Huntsville added insurance in the top of the ninth inning against Brian Akin as Matt LaPorta belted a two-out, two-run homerun into the right-centerfield bleachers, extending the lead to 4-1.
 
Jacksonville put two men on base in the bottom of the ninth with a single and hit-by-pitch with one out, but Joe Bateman induced a strikeout and groundout to end the game.
 
Huntsville starter Brae Wright (5-6) picked up the win while Jacksonville reliever Marlon Arias (6-3) fell in the loss. Joe Bateman (4) saved the game after pitching the final two frames.
 
Suns RH Jesus Castillo will face Stars RH Donovan Hand Sunday at 3:05 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville in the first half finale. The first 1,500 kids will receive playable fielder's gloves. Celebrate Father's Day at the Baseball Grounds with a Father-Child catch on the field prior to the game, sponsored by UF and Shands, Spike TV, WJXT TV-4 and 930 The Fox. After the game, Kids Run the Bases, sponsored by Metro PCS. Tickets are available through the Suns box office at (904) 358-2846 or by visiting jaxsuns.com.

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