McSweeney gem leads Shrimp to victory

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A pair of home runs and a stellar outing from Morgan McSweeney powered the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to an Independence Day victory over the Charlotte Knights, Friday from VyStar Ballpark, in front of 9,180 fans.

Jacksonville (53-32, 6-4) struck first in the bottom of the fourth. Joe Mack (8) clobbered a solo home run, his sixth in his last eight games, giving the Jumbo Shrimp a 1-0 lead over Charlotte (42-43, 6-4).

Leading 1-0 in the seventh, Jacob Berry singled with one out. Bennett Hostetler worked a walk, putting runners at first and second. With two runners on, Jakob Marsee (12) walloped a three-run home run, extending Jacksonville’s lead to four.

McSweeney (W, 2-0) was stellar in his second start with Jacksonville. The righty struck out four batters over five scoreless frames, extending his scoreless streak to 11.2 innings.

Jacksonville and Nashville continue their series Saturday at 6:35 p.m. RHP Adam Mazur (4-4, 3.47 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Jumbo Shrimp and RHP Evan McKendry (1-6, 6.60 ERA) will counter for the Knights. Coverage begins at 6:20 p.m. on Bally Live, MLB.tv, MiLB.tv, ESPN 690, and ESPN690.com.

Gates open at 5 p.m. on a giveaway Saturday presented by Miller Electric and Arlington Toyota. The first 2000 fans to enter the Main Gate at the Baptist Health Centerfield Plaza will receive a Nolan Ryan bobblehead.

ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins and compete in the International League. The team calls VyStar Ballpark home for baseball but also a wide variety of additional community focused events with a goal of providing Affordable, Family, FUN to Northeast Florida. Winners of many marketing and sales awards and recognition since the team was rebranded prior to the 2017 season, the Jumbo Shrimp continually lead the state of Florida in attendance across all minor league professional sports organizations.