Jacksonville’s ninth inning rally falls short in loss to Durham

DURHAM, N.C. – Willians Astudillo smacked five hits, including a two-run home run in the ninth but the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp fell just short to the Durham Bulls with a 10-9 loss Wednesday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

After falling behind to a wide margin, Jacksonville (59-48) exploded in the top of the seventh against Durham (59-48) reliever JT Chargois. With one out, Jon Berti singled and Brian Miller walked to put runners on first and second. Jesús Sánchez singled, scoring Berti to make the score 8-3. Anderson advanced to second and then scored on a double from Jerar Encarnacion to cut the deficit to 8-4. With runners at second and third, Astudillo smacked a base-hit, his fourth hit of the day, plating Sánchez from third to make it a three-run game. Jordan Groshans walked to load the bases and after a pitching change, Cristofer Ogando hit Ryan Lavarnway to bring Jacksonville back, trailing 8-6.

Durham responded by building back their lead in the bottom of the eighth. With one out, Ryan Boldt singled and Ruben Cardenas (7) blasted a two-run home run giving the Bulls a four-run cushion 10-6.

The Jumbo Shrimp battled in the top of the ninth but couldn’t overcome the deficit. Encarnacion reached on an error to start the inning and Astudillo (11) followed with a two-run home run to make it a two-run game again. Groshans doubled and three batters later scored on a double from Luis Aviles Jr. With Jacksonville trailing by one, Chase Anderson struck out Brian Miller to end the game and stave off the rally.

Jacksonville began the game hot, taking an early lead in the top of the first. With one out, Anderson doubled and Sánchez singled to put runners at the corners. Encarnacion followed with a single, scoring the first run of the game. Astudillo followed suit with the fourth straight base-hit and Sánchez scored from second to put the Jumbo Shrimp ahead 2-0.

The Bulls wasted no time plating a run in the bottom of the second. With two outs, Grant Witherspoon doubled off Jacksonville starter Josh Rogers (L, 0-4). Xavier Edwards followed with a single and Witherspoon scored, making the score 2-1.

Durham stayed hot with another big inning in the third. Cardenas and Vidal Brujan worked back-to-back walks. Miles Mastrobuoni singled to load the bases. Cardenas scored on a double play from Jonathan Aranda that tied the game at two. Brujan advanced to third on the ground ball and scored on a single from René Pinto, giving the Bulls a 3-2 lead. In the ensuing at-bat, Tristan Gray (26) blasted a two-run home run to put Durham ahead 5-2.

The Bulls added to their lead in the sixth, scoring eight unanswered runs after Jacksonville’s first inning lead. With one out, Aneurys Zabala walked three straight batters and Cardenas swatted a two-run double, pushing the Durham lead to 7-2. A sac fly from Brujan made the score 8-2.

Jacksonville and Durham continue their series tomorrow with first pitch slated for 6:35 p.m. The Jumbo Shrimp will hand the ball to LHP Matthew Kent (5-8, 5.33 ERA) and the Bulls will counter with RHP Taj Bradley (1-2, 5.25 ERA). Coverage begins at 6:20 p.m. ESPN 690 and ESPN690.com.

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.