Suns take over first place

 

The Suns plated the lone run of the night in the top of the fourth against Biscuits starter Matt Buschmann.  Jake Smolinski drew a leadoff walk, and Zack Cox walked with one out to put runners on first and second.  With two outs, Kyle Skipworth hit an 0-2 pitch past the outstretched glove of second baseman Derek Dietrich into right field for the RBI single to give the Suns a 1-0 lead.  Skipworth has driven in five runs in the series.

 

The Suns had their steak of scoring at least five runs in a game snapped at eight.  The Biscuits collected seven hits in the game, six singles and a triple but had more than one base runner in an inning only once. 

 

Bryan Evans (6-8) allowed four singles and a triple in his seven innings in the victory.  He has won four of his last six decisions.  Matt Buschmann (6-8) surrendered a lone RBI single to Kyle Skipworth in the loss.  Buschmann enticed the Suns into 15 ground outs, and allowed just three base runners in the game.

 

The Suns bullpen slammed the door on the Biscuits.  James Leverton allowed a single in the eighth, and A.J. Ramos pitched the ninth to earn his second save of the series and 21st of the season.  Ramos has the second-most saves in the Southern League.  The win didn't come without some late-inning drama.  Omar Luna led off the home half of the ninth with a single, went to second on a sacrifice bunt, and took third on a wild pitch by Ramos to increase the tension.  Ramos then retired Kyeong Kang on a fly ball to right field to end the game.  Suns relievers have allowed just nine singles in 18.2 scoreless innings over the last five games.

 

The Suns will look to complete the sweep in the series finale Tuesday night from Riverwalk Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:05 PM.  RHP Brian Flynn (2-0, 3.41) will step on the mound for the Suns.  RHP Jake Thomspson (7-10, 5.30) gets the call for the Biscuits.