Jumbo Shrimp fall behind early, can’t recover in loss to Nashville

JACKSONVILLE, F.L. – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp allowed a pair of four-run innings Sunday in their 11-6 loss to the Nashville Sounds at 121 Financial Ballpark.

With the game tied at four in the fourth, Nashville (24-12) pounded four more runs to blow the game open against Jacksonville (20-16) starter Matthew Kent (L,1-3). With one out, Andrew Monasterio singled and Jonathan Davis followed with a base hit. A groundout by Brice Turang put runners on second and third before Abraham Almonte was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Monasterio scored from third as Tyler White reached on a fielder’s choice to keep the bases loaded. With a 5-4 lead, Weston Wilson cleared the bases with a three-run double to push the lead to 8-4.

Nashville added to their lead in the top of the seventh. Back-to-back singles to *Pablo Reyes *and *Alex Jackson *started the frame. After a flyout, both runners advanced to second and third on a double steal. Davis was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A wild pitch scored Reyes from third to push the lead to 9-4. With runners on second and third Turang knocked a two-run single pushing the Nashville advantage to 11-4.

Jacksonville (20-16) plated a run in the seventh to cut into the deficit. JJ Bleday (7) blasted a solo home run with one out in the bottom of the seventh to make the score 11-5.

The Jumbo Shrimp scored the final run of the game in the bottom of the eighth but they couldn’t overcome the large deficit. Peyton Burdick led off with a double and advanced to third on a ground out by Nick Fortes. Norel González hti a sac fly to score Burdick to cut the deficit to 11-6.

Nashville drew first blood with a big first inning. Turang singled with one out and went to second on a single by Almonte. After a flyout, Wilson doubled to score Turang to put Nashville ahead 1-0. Dahl walked and Reyes cleared the bases with a three-run double to put the Sounds ahead 4-0.

Jacksonville tied the game in the bottom of the second. Peyton Burdick walked to start the inning and Nick Fortes singled. With runners on first and second and one out, Joe Dunand doubled home Burdick to cut the deficit to 4-1. Fortes went to third and scored on a sac fly by Bryson Brigman to make the score 4-2. With Dunand on third, *Devin Hairston *blasted a two-run home run tie the game at four.

With an off day scheduled for Monday, Jacksonville opens up their series with the Durham Bulls on Tuesday with an 11:05 a.m. first pitch. LHP *Daniel Castano *(1-0, 6.55) will start for Jacksonville and Durham will counter with RHP Tommy Romero (0-2, 4.12). Coverage begins at 10:50 a.m. on ESPN 690, ESPN690.com, and MiLB.tv.

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.