Offense Starts Early, Irvin Shuts Down Braves

ROME, GA (July 24, 2019) - Jake Irvin spun six scoreless innings and the offense started early in the Suns 6-1 win over the Rome Braves at State Mutual Stadium Wednesday evening.
Irvin (W, 6-7) fanned six batters while allowing just four hits in the victory. The righty twirled his seventh quality start of the season for the Suns (43-59, 13-19).

The former Sooner got backed-up by some early offense from Hagerstown, beginning in the top of the second frame. With the bases loaded and one retired, Armond Upshaw drilled a single to left to score Kyle Marinconz and Cole Daily.
The runs did not stop there though. After a Jacob Rhinesmith single and stolen bag, Marinconz reached safely on a throwing error and Rhinesmith was able to burn all the way home to give Hagerstown a 3-0 lead over the Braves (47-55, 17-16). 
Drew Mendoza did not wait long to stretch his hitting-streak to 10 games. The Florida State-product laced a double in the first to keep it going. He is hitting .357 (15-for-42) over that span.
The Suns did the remainder of their damage against the bullpen, as Dilmer Mejia (L, 5-2) exited the game after just four innings.
 The remaining three runs of insurance, all in the sixth and seventh innings, all scored off of Rome miscues. Daily scored on a wild pitch in the sixth prior to a throwing error on a pick-off attempt allowing Rhinesmith to come home in the seventh. Later in the inning, a wild pitch resulted in Marinconz scampering home to put the Suns up 6-0.
The Braves scored their lone run off a Greg Cullen solo shot in the home half of the seventh. Angel Guillen was on the hill and had no other mis-steps in his two innings before handing the ball to Gabe Klobosits, who worked a scoreless ninth.
The Suns and Braves play a rubber match tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. at State Mutual Stadium. Hagerstown has yet to announce their starter, but Rome sends righty Alan Rangel (9-5, 4.70 ERA) to the bump.
After the seven-game roadtrip, the Suns return to Municipal Stadium for a seven-game homestand against the Braves and Fireflies July 31-August 6. The stretch is filled with plenty of promotions including Bark in the Park, Thirsty Thursday, a Juan Soto Bobblehead giveaway, Sunday Funday and Summer Camp Day. For tickets or more information visit hagerstownsuns.com or call 301-791-6266.