Gonzalez, Norwood Help Shrimp Sweep Lookouts, 8-1
Published on July 11, 2018 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp right-hander Merandy Gonzalez pitched a season-best seven shutout innings, and right fielder John Norwood hit two home runs in his first four-hit Southern League game to lead an 8-1 win over the Chattanooga Lookouts in front of 7,419 at Big Splash Day Wednesday at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
Gonzalez (1-3) did not allow a Chattanooga baserunner to reach scoring position in the first six innings and faced only three batters over the minimum in his first seven-inning start since July 19, 2017, when he pitched for New York Mets High-A affiliate St. Lucie against Miami Marlins affiliate Jupiter. He allowed lone baserunners in the second, third and fifth innings, and a walk and single in the seventh inning. He yielded three total hits and two walks with three strikeouts.
Lookouts left-hander Dietrich Enns (0-3) shut out the Jumbo Shrimp (8-12 second half, 36-52 overall) the first four innings, stranding six baserunners. In the bottom of the fifth inning, center fielder Monte Harrison hit a leadoff double down the left-field line, and first baseman Peter O'Brien hit a two-run home run - his second in as many days and team-high 12th of the season - to left field. Enns completed five innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and three walks with seven strikeouts.
Jacksonville added four runs in the sixth inning against Chattanooga left-hander Andrew Vasquez. Third baseman Brian Schales hit a leadoff double. Catcher Rodrigo Vigil and second baseman Chris Diaz put down consecutive sacrifice bunts, with throwing errors by Vasquez and catcher Mitchell Kranson helping score a run. Left fielder Brian Miller hit an RBI double to right-center field, and two batters later, Norwood hit his first home run since April 28 to the right-field bleachers to make it 6-0. In the seventh inning, Vasquez allowed three straight two-out singles to Schales, Vigil and Diaz, scoring another run. Norwood's eighth-inning solo home run to the Budweiser Tiki Terrace off left-hander Tyler Jay made it 8-0.
After Jumbo Shrimp right-hander Reilly Hovis pitched a scoreless eighth inning, the Lookouts (5-15, 41-48) tallied a ninth-inning run with a pair of two-out walks and Kranson's RBI single against Jacksonville right-hander Lukas Schiraldi.
UP NEXT: The Jumbo Shrimp will open a series with Biloxi at 7:05 p.m. Thursday. Gates open at 6 p.m. for Budweiser Thirsty Thursday, when fans can purchase $1 12-oz. and $2 24-oz. beers adjacent to the Budweiser Tiki Terrace, along the right-field concourse, and at the Oasis concession stand behind section 115. $1 small sodas are sold at the concession stands. DJ Swagg and DJ MoneyGud will provide music at the Budweiser Tiki Terrace. As Seen on TV Night will feature in-game contests with great American TV products, from the Sham-wow to the Slap-Chop and the Gopher to the Shake-weight, which will be a $500 contest. The game is also presented by Cox Media.
Southern League Stories from July 11, 2018
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- BayBears Shut Down Wahoos Comeback to Take Series Finale, 3-2 - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Smokies Burn Biscuits, 4-2 - Montgomery Biscuits
- INF Luis Marte Promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett - Mississippi Braves
- Jumbo Shrimp Homestand Highlights July 12-16 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Gonzalez, Norwood Help Shrimp Sweep Lookouts, 8-1 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Ray Shines as Biloxi Takes Down Generals - Jackson Generals
- Lookouts Drop Fourth, Lose Series - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Fireworks and Giveaways Highlight Series Starting Tomorrow - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Cease, Basabe to Play in All-Star Futures Game - Birmingham Barons
- M-Braves Homestand Highlights, July 12-16 - Mississippi Braves
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