JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp right-hander Joe Gunkel pitched seven innings, right fielder John Norwood hit a go-ahead home run, and new Shrimp outfielders Braxton Lee and Kyle Barrett combined for five hits in a 4-2 win over the Mobile BayBears in front of 2,906 at the Baseball Grounds
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp right-hander Joe Gunkel pitched seven innings, right fielder John Norwood hit a go-ahead home run, and new Shrimp outfielders Braxton Lee and Kyle Barrett combined for five hits in a 4-2 win over the Mobile BayBears in front of 2,906 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville Wednesday night.
Jax Jumbo Shrimp Highlights - June 28, 2017
In their Jumbo Shrimp debuts, Lee - a former Montgomery Biscuit acquired in the Miami Marlins' trade with the Tampa Bay Rays - and Barrett - promoted from Class-A Advanced Jupiter on Monday - started in the first two spots, respectively, in the batting order. Against BayBears right-hander Jake Jewell (4-5), Lee led off the game with an infield single along the third-base line, and Barrett bunted along the first-base line before beating Jewell's throw to first base for a single. A double play and strikeout ended the inning but kept Jacksonville (3-3 second half, 33-43 overall) quiet temporarily.
Navy Mutual MVP of the Game - June 28, 2017
Gunkel (2-4) kept Mobile (3-3, 33-42) scoreless until a third-inning, leadoff home run by first baseman Jared Walsh. Designated hitter Jordan Serena double to left-center field, went to third base on center fielder Bo Way's sacrifice and scored on a wild pitch. Gunkel proceeded to retire 15 of 16 batters to complete his outing, allowing two earned runs on four hits with no walks and two strikeouts while throwing 74 pitches, 52 for strikes.
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In a 2-0 deficit, Barrett ignited Jacksonville's sixth-inning rally. He singled to right field with one out, Jewell's balk put him at second base, and third baseman Brian Anderson's RBI single scored him. Norwood followed promptly with his 11th home run to the right-field bleachers for a 3-2 lead. Jewell allowed three earned runs on seven hits and one walk with four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Lee added a seventh-inning RBI single to finish 2-for-4. Barrett followed with his second bunt single to finish 3-for-4 in his Double-A debut. Right-hander Esmerling De La Rosa pitched a scoreless eighth inning. Left-hander Daniel Schlereth got the first ninth-inning out, before right-hander Severino González got two outs for his first save.
UP NEXT: The Jumbo Shrimp continue their series with Mobile at 7:05 p.m. Thursday, when Jacksonville right-hander Trevor Richards (1-0) is scheduled to face BayBears right-hander Jaime Barria (1-1). Gates open at 6 p.m. for Military Appreciation Night presented by Navy Federal Credit Union, when veterans, active, retired and former military and their dependents receive free general admission or reserved tickets. All attendees with the military member must be present, and the member show an active military or veteran ID, at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville box office to receive free tickets On Mavericks Live and Budweiser Thirst Thursday, fans can purchase $1 12-oz. and $2 24-oz. beers adjacent to the new Budweiser Tiki Terrace, on the left-field berm, at two locations on the right-field bleachers, and at the Oasis concession stand behind section 115. The game is also presented by 95.1 WAPE and X102.9.
ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are beginning a new era of affordable family fun with the 2017 season presented by Community First Credit Union at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. With a new lineup of ticket and group options, there is a reason for everyone to get part of the action by calling the Jumbo Shrimp at (904) 358-2846 or visiting www.jaxshrimp.com.
