PEARL, Miss. - The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (18-16, 48-56) defeated the Mississippi Braves (11-22, 45-58) by a 3-2 score in the fourth game of the five-game series at Trustmark Park on Friday night
PEARL, Miss. - The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (18-16, 48-56) defeated the Mississippi Braves (11-22, 45-58) by a 3-2 score in the fourth game of the five-game series at Trustmark Park on Friday night
David Vidal had the first multi-homer game for the season for a Jumbo Shrimp batter, and his ninth inning solo shot gave the Shrimp a 4-3 lead as Jacksonville won its third straight game to claim the five-game series. This marks the first road series victory of the season for the Jumbo Shrimp, after going 0-10 in previous road series.
Jacksonville right-handed relief pitcher Severino González (5-5) earned the win despite blowing the save by allowing the tying run to score in the bottom of the eighth. The losing pitcher was Mississippi left-handed reliever Corbin Clouse (1-1) who allowed the go-ahead homer to Vidal in the ninth. Jacksonville left-handed relief pitcher Jeff Kinley worked a scoreless ninth inning as he stranded the tying run at third base to pick up his first Double-A save.
Vidal once again gave Jacksonville an early lead, as he sent a solo homer to left in the top of the third to put the Jumbo Shrimp in front 1-0. It was Vidal's second homer in the past three games, and he's had a hit in each game against the M-Braves. Mississippi jumped in front with a two-run single by Dylan Moore in the bottom of the third to put the M-Braves up 2-1.
That lead remained for Mississippi until the top of the eighth inning. Mississippi right-handed starting pitcher Andres Santiago had a no decision, working five innings allowing only a run on six hits with three walks and a strikeout. Jacksonville right-handed starting pitcher Joe Gunkel after allowing two runs in the third then worked four perfect innings, and overall in his seven innings of work he allowed two unearned runs on two hits with no walks and four strikeouts.
Jacksonville tied the score in the top of the eighth when John Norwood had a pinch-hit RBI single to pull the Shrimp even with the M-Braves 2-2. The next batter Braxton Lee gave the Shrimp a 3-2 lead with his sacrifice fly that scored KC Serna from third base. The lead was short-lived, as Mississippi catcher Joe Odom tied the game with an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth off Gonzalez to put the score at 3-3.
Vidal's homer led off the ninth inning for the Jumbo Shrimp to go in front 4-3, and Kinley got the final out in the bottom of the ninth when Tyler Neslony flied out to left in foul territory to end the game. Jacksonville out-hit Mississippi 14-5 in the contest.
The Jumbo Shrimp and M-Braves will conclude their series with the fifth game of the five-game set on Saturday night at 7 p.m. ET at Trustmark Park. Right-handed pitcher Chris Mazza (1-6, 3.01 ERA) will start for Jacksonville against Mississippi left-handed pitcher Kolby Allard (5-9, 3.75).Fans can listen to the game on the Jumbo Shrimp Network presented by Community First, beginning at 6:45 p.m. with the pregame show "Shrimp On Deck" locally on FM 100.3 The Biz and AM 1600, on the TuneIn Radio app, and www.jaxshrimp.com.
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.
