Jumbo Shrimp waltz by IronPigs, win series opener

ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Garrett Hampson reached base five times, Jerar Encarnacion homered and reached three times and the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp drew 12 walks – their most in a game since 2019- to stroll by the Lehigh Valley IronPigs 11-5 in Tuesday’s series opener from Coca-Cola Park.

The Jumbo Shrimp (56-58, 24-16) scored seven runs without a hit in the first inning, earning nine walks and one hit-by-pitch. IronPigs (60-52, 24-15) starter Griff McGarry (0-1) walked Xavier Edwards, hit Hampson with a pitch and walked Troy Johnston to load the bases. McGarry then issued four consecutive bases-loaded walks before coming out of the game. Reliever Brett Schulze then issued another bases-loaded walk to Encarnacion. He collected a strikeout for the game’s first out, then walked both Edwards and Hampson with the bases loaded to make it 7-0.

In the bottom of the first, Jacksonville starter Daniel Castano (3-0) walked Cristian Pache before Kody Clemens singled. Dustin Peterson got Lehigh Valley on the board with an RBI double before Darick Hall cracked a three-run home run to draw the IronPigs within 7-4.

Jacksonville answered immediately in the second. Jacob Amaya walked and stole second with one out. He then scored on Jordan Groshans’ double to center field.

In the fourth, Groshans singled with two outs. Encarnacion then bashed a two-run shot to right to make it 10-4.

Simon Muzziotti cracked a solo homer in the bottom of the fourth, but the IronPigs could get no closer. Eli Villalobos and Austin Roberts each worked 2.0 scoreless innings of relief.

With the score still 10-5, a Hampson single coupled with an error put a runer on second with one out. Two batters later, Dane Myers deposited an RBI single to right to cap the scoring at 11-5.

Jacksonville’s 12 walks in the contest were the most for the club in a single-game since registering 12 free passes on June 15, 2019 at Birmingham.

The Jumbo Shrimp look for the 10th win in 11 games with Wednesday’s 7:05 p.m. contest. LHP Ryan Weathers (1-0, 1.50 ERA) starts for Jacksonville against Lehigh Valley RHP Drew Hutchison (5-4, 5.55 ERA). Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on ESPN 690 and www.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.