Jacksonville falls 6-2 in opener with Gwinnett

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp lost their third-straight game as they struggled offensively in their opener with the Gwinnett Stripers, falling 6-2 Tuesday night at Coolray Field.

After a scoreless opening frame, Gwinnett (30-40) opened the scoring in the bottom of the second. With one out, Luke Williams singled off Jacksonville (30-39) starter Devin Smeltzer (L, 2-4). Braden Shewmake was hit by a pitch and Daniel Robertson walked in the following two at-bats to load the bases. Joe Hudson worked a walk as the fourth consecutive batter to reach base, driving in Shewmake as the first run of the game. Magneuris Sierra reached on a fielder’s choice, allowing Robertson to score to give the Stripers a 2-0 lead.

Gwinnett added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth. Forrest Wall singled and stole second to start the inning. Vaughn Grissom doubled in the ensuing at-bat, scoring Wall to push the lead up to three. Joe Dunand singled to right and with runners on the corners, two batters later, Williams hit a sac fly to plate Wall, giving the Stripers a four-run cushion.

Gwinnett’s lead increased to six runs in the bottom of the sixth. Zack Leban, making his first appearance for Jacksonville since April, issued a free pass to Robertson. A groundout moved Robertson up to second. Following a fly out, Wall worked his second walk of the game. With runners on first and second, Grissom singled, allowing Robertson to score from second and Wall scored from first on a misplayed ball by Jazz Chisholm Jr. in center giving the Stripers a 6-0 lead.

The Jumbo Shrimp started their climb back with a run in the top of the seventh against Gwinnett starter Allan Winans (W, 6-3). With one out, Dane Myers singled and went to second on a groundout by Austin Allen. Peyton Burdick lashed a base hit, plating Myers to cut the deficit to 6-1.

Jacksonville scratched across their second and final run of the night in the top of the eighth. Jake Mangum reached base on a missed catch error by Jesus Aguilar to open the inning. With one out, Mangum reached second on a wild pitch. After a strikeout, Xavier Edwards smacked a base hit, scoring Mangum for the Jumbo Shrimp’s second run of the night.

Jacksonville and Gwinnett continue their series tomorrow at 12:05 p.m. Coverage begins at 11:50 a.m. The Jumbo Shrimp hand the ball to RHP Chi Chi González (3-4, 5.40 ERA) and the Stripers will counter with LHP Dylan Dodd (2-4, 7.07 ERA).

*ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: *The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at 121 Financial Ballpark. 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. The club added its second Promotional Trophy in three years following the 2019 season. The 2021 season marked the return of Triple-A baseball in Jacksonville. 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.