Jumbo Shrimp shut out Stripers, 5-0, Friday

Lawrenceville, Ga. – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp batted around in the second inning, and Braxton Garrett fired five scoreless innings, on their way to a 5-0 shutout of the Gwinnett Stripers, Friday at Coolray Field.

Jacksonville (17-11) has now won four games this season in shutout fashion, and they’ve seen their starting pitchers combined to allow just eight runs over 26.2 innings to help them go 4-1 in their last five games. Gwinnett (15-13) tallied just eight baserunners on the night, and only once advanced a runner to third base.

Lewin Díaz led off the second inning with a bullet through the right side that bounded all the way to the wall for a double. Justin Twine followed with a swinging bunt, and Chad Wallach singled as well to load the bases. Deven Marrero capitalized against Connor Johnstone (loss, 1-4) with a two-run single to right to open the scoring. Later in the inning, after Brian Miller reached on a fielder’s choice, and Bryson Brigman lined a double to left-center to score Marrero and Miller and put the Shrimp in front, 4-0.

That was plenty of run support for Garrett (win, 3-1). The lefty stranded a pair in the first inning, and went on to retire the next ten batters he faced. He ultimately worked five innings, allowing just two hits and two walks, while striking out five.

Preston Guilmet followed and worked his best relief outing this season, also fanning five in three scoreless innings. Guilmet allowed one single for his only baserunner.

The Jumbo Shrimp tacked on a run in the seventh inning when Díaz lifted a home run to center field, his fifth of the season, snapping a 64-at-bat homerless streak, and pushing the Jacksonville lead to 5-0.

Alexander Guillen worked a scoreless ninth, stranding a pair of singles, to finish off the win.

The Jumbo Shrimp go for a series win on Saturday when they send right-hander Josh A. Smith (2-0, 3.38) to the bump to face off with fellow righty Kyle Wright (1-2, 3.86) for Gwinnett. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. and the broadcast will begin at 5:50 p.m. on ESPN 690.

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 marks 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.