Jumbo Shrimp Top Shuckers 5-1
Published on August 2, 2018 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release
BILOXI, Miss. - The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (15-25, 43-65) defeated the Biloxi Shuckers (22-18, 63-47) by a 5-1 score in the first game of the five-game series at MGM Park on Thursday night.
Jacksonville right-handed starting pitcher Merandy Gonzalez (2-6) earned the victory, working seven-plus innings where he allowed just one run on five hits with a walk and four strikeouts. Biloxi right-handed starting pitcher Marcos Diplan (1-2) took the loss, allowing two runs (both earned) on nine hits with three walks and five strikeouts.
After the first two innings were scoreless, the Jumbo Shrimp broke through with two outs in the top of the third with an RBI double by Brian Schales to lead 1-0. Jacksonville added a run in the top of the sixth inning when Eric Jagielo drew a bases loaded walk to score Schales from third to build the lead to 2-0 with no outs, but the Jumbo Shrimp would not add any more runs that inning and strand the bases loaded.
Monte Harrison added the next run in the seventh, smashing a 424-foot homer to center to grow the lead to 3-0. Harrison, the Marlins No. 1 prospect according to MLB.com, now leads the Marlins organization with 14 home runs in 2018. Justin Twine started the eighth inning with a triple, then Jagielo promptly brought him home with a sacrifice fly to grow the lead to 4-0.
Gonzalez's first seven innings were scoreless before he got into trouble in the eighth. The first three batters that inning reached base, including Blake Allemand with his RBI single that got the Shuckers on the board at 4-1, and that would be the final batter Gonzalez faced. Jacksonville reliever Miguel Del Pozo got out of a bases-loaded no-out jam by forcing Keston Hiura to ground into a 5-2 double play, then Erceg grounded out to first to end the inning with Jacksonville's 4-1 lead still intact. The Jumbo Shrimp added a run in the ninth on an RBI single by Joe Dunand to put the lead at 5-1, which would be the final. Dunand's three hits tonight were a Double-A high for the Marlins No. 23 prospect.
Jumbo Shrimp right-handed relief pitcher Ryan Newell started the bottom of the ninth on the mound but had to leave the mound due to injury facing Richie Shaffer to begin the inning. Kyle Keller would get the final three outs to preserve the win.
The Jumbo Shrimp will continue their five-game series with the Biloxi Shuckers with the second game of the five-game set at MGM Park at 7:35 p.m. eastern on Friday night. Right-handed starting pitcher Kolton Mahoney (3-6, 4.20 ERA) will start for Jacksonville against Biloxi right-hander Trey Supak (2-6, 3.90 ERA). Fans can listen to Friday's game on the Jumbo Shrimp Network presented by Community First, beginning at 7:20 p.m. eastern with the pregame show "Shrimp On Deck" locally on Sunny 102.3 FM, on the TuneIn Radio app, and www.jaxshrimp.com.
The Jumbo Shrimp return home on Wednesday, Aug. 8, at 7:05 p.m. against the Mississippi Braves. Gates open at 6 p.m. for Publix Corks & Forks Wednesday, when fans can purchase a game ticket and the opportunity to sample food, beer, and wine from Publix in the Safe Harbor Seafood Palm Tree Pavilion for $15 at tinyurl.com/jaxshrimpportal (password "PUBLIX"). Reserved tickets may be upgraded at the Pavilion or box office. That night's featured wine will also be available in your neighborhood Publix. Anyone who donates a canned food item at the box office can save $1 off a gameday ticket (limit $1 off per ticket).
Southern League Stories from August 2, 2018
- Lookouts Offense Erupts for 12 Runs in Win - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Smokies Fall to Generals - Knoxville Smokies
- Shuckers Drop Series Opener to Jacksonville, 5-1 - Biloxi Shuckers
- Lookouts Double Past M-Braves in Series Opener, 12-3 - Mississippi Braves
- Jumbo Shrimp Top Shuckers 5-1 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Biscuits Fall to Wahoos, 5-4 - Montgomery Biscuits
- Herum's Late Hits Help Generals Rally to Win, 4-3 - Jackson Generals
- Wahoos Edge Biscuits in Series Opener, 5-4 - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Wednesday's BayBears Game Cancelled Due to Rain - Mobile BayBears
- Eveld to Jacksonville - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Bobblehead Giveaway Highlights Shuckers Five-Game Series with Jacksonville - Biloxi Shuckers
- Barons Back for Five against BayBears - Birmingham Barons
- Corey Ray Named Southern League Player of the Month for July - Biloxi Shuckers
- Corey Ray Named Southern League Player of the Month - SL1
- Wahoos Take a Pair from Shuckers in Pensacola - Biloxi Shuckers
- Wahoos Sweep Shuckers in Doubleheader, Take Series - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
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