Winning pitcher, Matt Neil.
photo by Tim Evearitt
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Suns scored the first 12 runs of the second game of their series against the Chattanooga Lookouts, eventually holding on for a 12-4 win at Bragan Field.
The Suns jumped on Lookouts starter Duke von Schamann (2-4) for eight runs in fewer than four innings, launching a pair of home runs and handing starter Matt Neil (2-2) plenty of run support in front of 3,141 fans at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
The Lookouts collected just three hits and are in last place (14-22) in the Southern League North Division.
J.T. Realmuto began the scoring onslaught with his fourth home run of the season, a solo blast in the bottom of the second that put Jacksonville on top 1-0. Realmuto, who did not play in Sunday's series opener, finished 4-for-5 with a pair of RBI's.
Three batters later, after Neil extended the inning with his second hit of the season, Isaac Galloway crushed his first career Double-A home run to give the Suns a 3-0 advantage.
The Suns would add a run in the third, and then broke the game open with a five-run fourth. Danny Pertusati's fourth home run of the season capped the quintet of runs, a two-run tater that gave the Suns a 9-0 lead.
Mark Canha extended his hitting streak to nine games in the victory, finishing 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored.
Meanwhile, Neil put together his best start of the season. The right-hander threw six scoreless innings and allowed just one hit, a first inning single.
The Lookouts scored four runs in the eighth inning to avoid their sixth shutout since the Southern League All-Star Game on July 17 but could not escape their second straight loss to the Suns.
Suns right-hander Robert Morey (4-7, 4.63) is scheduled to make the start for Jacksonville in game three of the five-game series on Tuesday, set for a 7:05 p.m. start. Morey will be opposed by Chattanooga left-hander Chris Reed (3-8, 2.82).