The Jacksonville Suns clinched their first half-season title since 2006 and are guaranteed of hosting Games 4 and 5 (if necessary) in addition to Game 3 of the South Division playoff series against the Birmingham Barons.
The visiting Suns used another strong performance by the starting pitcher and the bullpen as they defeated the Huntsville Stars 7-1 on Sunday to improve to 46-23 in the second half and 81-58 overall.
With one game remaining in the regular season, the Suns have a three-game lead over Birmingham, which lost to Chattanooga Sunday night.
"It feels great. I'm really proud of the way the guys have played in this series," Suns manager Brandon Hyde said by phone amid the celebration in the Suns' locker room in Huntsville, Ala.
Our pitching continues to be unbelievable. The credit goes to [Suns pitching coach] Reid [Cornelius] and the pitching staff, especially the way they shut Huntsville down in this series.
"Clinching the second-half title was real important for our guys. It's a good feeling to know that we beat Birmingham in the second half, especially the way they keep winning. Plus, it's great to know that we've got three games in our place if the series goes that far."
The Suns will bus to Birmingham after today's final game in Huntsville to prepare for the first two games of the South Division series on Thursday and Friday.
The team will take Tuesday off and will work out Wednesday night at Regions Park in Hoover, Ala., home of the Barons. Hyde named Nic Ungs to start in Thursday's series opener.
Graham Taylor is scheduled to pitch Friday, and Brad Stone is scheduled to start Saturday's game at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
In Sunday's win, the Suns used a three-run homer in the second inning by catcher Brad Davis to jump to a 3-0 lead.
Kevin Randel added a solo home run in the sixth, and Jacksonville wrapped it up with three runs in the ninth inning.
Suns starter Jarrett Santos allowed seven hits but only one run in 51/3 innings for the win.
Levale Speigner and Garrett Parcell combined for 32/3 innings of relief and shut down the Stars on three hits, no runs and six strikeouts.
The first-place finish is Jacksonville's first in the regular season since the 2006 Suns won the first-half crown with a 48-22 record. Jacksonville then lost three consecutive games to Montgomery in the divisional playoffs.
Tennessee clinched the second-half title in the North Division and will travel to Huntsville for their series opener on Thursday.
The Stars, who have lost eight in arow, won the first-half title in the North Division.
Suns right-hander Elih Villanueva will start today's regular-season finale.
jeff.elliott@jacksonville.com,
(904) 359-4292
Southern League Playoffs What: South Division playoff series. Format: Best-of-5. Who: Jacksonville Suns (second-half division champion) vs. Birmingham Barons (first-half division champion). Radio: 930 AM will broadcast all the games live. Schedule, C-5 ~~~SOUTHERN LEAGUE:South Division PlAyoff SCHEDULE Game 1: Jacksonville at Birmingham, 8:05 p.m. Thursday. Game 2: Jacksonville at Birmingham, 8:05 p.m. Friday. Game 3: Birmingham at Jacksonville, 7:05 p.m. Saturday. *Game 4: Birmingham at Jacksonville, 5:05 p.m. Sunday. *Game 5: Birmingham at Jacksonville, 7:05 p.m. Monday. * if necessary