JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp right-hander Pablo López struck out a career-high 10 batters in 5 2/3 innings in Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader, but the Mobile BayBears rallied for a 4-2, seven-inning win, followed by a 3-1, seven-inning win before 4,850 saw NAPA Family Fireworks at the Baseball
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp right-hander Pablo López struck out a career-high 10 batters in 5 2/3 innings in Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader, but the Mobile BayBears rallied for a 4-2, seven-inning win, followed by a 3-1, seven-inning win before 4,850 saw NAPA Family Fireworks at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
Lopez (0-2) kept Mobile (21-20) scoreless through the first five innings. Jacksonville (17-25) took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning against Mobile right-hander Jose Rodriguez (3-4). Designated hitter Cade Gotta doubled down the third-base line and went to third base on first baseman Eric Jagielo's groundout. Right fielder John Norwood walked, and third baseman Brian Schales chopped an RBI single over BayBears second baseman Riley Unroe, sending Norwood to third base. Two batters later, catcher Rodrigo Vigil added an RBI infield single for a 2-0 lead. Rodriguez completed five innings.
Jax Jumbo Shrimp Highlights - May 18, 2018
In the top of the sixth inning, BayBears third baseman Taylor Ward hit a leadoff single. Designated hitter Jose Rojas reached on Norwood's error, and catcher Michael Barash hit an RBI single to left field. A sacrifice and game-tying groundout preceded left fielder Zach Gibbons' go-ahead single to center field. All three runs were unearned against Lopez, who allowed three walks and five hits but lowered his ERA to 0.28 (one earned run in 31 2/3 innings). Mobile first baseman Matt Thaiss hit a seventh-inning home run off right-hander Marcus Crescentini, before right-hander Ryan Clark completed two scoreless innings for his second save.
Randy Ready Postgame vs. Mobile 5/18/18
In Game 2, Mobile took a first-inning lead with four straight two-out singles off Jacksonville right-hander Kolton Mahoney (2-3). Ward, Rojas, first baseman Zach Houchins and shortstop Connor Justus each singled, with the last scoring Ward. On the same play, Gotta threw from right field to retire Rojas at home plate. In the second inning, former Jacksonville catcher Francisco Arcia singled with one out and later scored on an errant pickoff throw by Mahoney, who allowed two runs - one earned - on six hits and one walk with one strikeout in five innings. Rojas and Houchins singled against right-hander Zech Lemond in the sixth inning, and Rojas later scored when Gibbons' RBI fielder's choice. BayBears left-hander Greg Mahle pitched four scoreless innings, left-hander Adrian Almeida (1-0) allowed a run on three walks in 1 1/3 innings, and right-hander Matt Custred escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning before a scoreless seventh inning for his second save.
UP NEXT: The Jumbo Shrimp continue their series with Mobile at 6:35 p.m. Saturday. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., when the first 2,000 fans receive Jumbo Shrimp Socks, courtesy of 121 Financial and JAXSPORTS Council. Pregame activities will include the Girl Scout Night parade and an on-field vow renewal in honor of the Royal Wedding. a pregame on-field vow renewal. Following the game are Saturday Fireworks, which continue at each Saturday home game through June 16.
ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Their inaugural season garnered the Southern League's Don Mincher Organization of the Year, Promotional Trophy, and Jimmy Bragan Executive of the Year, won by General Manager Harold Craw. To experience the excitement with the terrific value of ticket and group options, call the Jumbo Shrimp at (904) 358-2846 or visit www.jaxshrimp.com.
