Late Encarnacion single lifts Jacksonville over Memphis 2-1

Eighth-inning hit helps Jumbo Shrimp record series victory

Jerar Encarnacion smacks the go-ahead RBI single in Jacksonville's 2-1 win over Memphis. (Joey Mims/Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp)

By Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

August 5, 2022

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Six strong innings from Matthew Kent and an eighth-inning RBI single from Jerar Encarnacion gave Jacksonville a 2-1 win over the Memphis Redbirds Friday night in front of 5,916 fans at 121 Financial Ballpark for their fourth win in a row. After five scoreless frames, Jacksonville (58-45)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Six strong innings from Matthew Kent and an eighth-inning RBI single from *Jerar Encarnacion *gave Jacksonville a 2-1 win over the Memphis Redbirds Friday night in front of 5,916 fans at 121 Financial Ballpark for their fourth win in a row.

After five scoreless frames, Jacksonville (58-45) managed to push the go-ahead run across in the eighth inning against Memphis (54-48) reliever Zach McAllister (L, 4-2). Brian Miller led off with a single and stole second (18). *Jordan Groshans *walked, and during Encarnacion’s at-bat Miller stole third. With runners at the corners, Encarnacion clubbed a single to score Miller and put the Jumbo Shrimp ahead 2-1.

Memphis initially drew first blood in the top of the second. Luken Baker (19) blasted a solo home run to put the Redbirds on top 1-0.

Jacksonville took no time in responding half an inning later. Willians Astudillo (9) walloped a solo home run off Memphis righty Jake Woodford, tying the game at one.

Runs were incredibly hard to come by on both sides, but the Jumbo Shrimp pitching staff put them in a great position to win.Kent had a phenomenal outing, allowing just one run on four hits with three walks against four strikeouts in six innings of work. Anthony Maldonado (W, 1-0) spun two scoreless frames striking out three while yielding just one hit. Andrew Nardi (S, 7) locked the game down in the ninth inning with just one hit allowed and one walk to give Jacksonville its third straight series win. The victory was the Jumbo Shrimp’s ninth in the last 11 games.

Jacksonville and Memphis continue their series Saturday night with first pitch set for 6:35 p.m. RHP Nick Neidert (3-0, 2.25 ERA) starts for the Jumbo Shrimp and the Redbirds will hand the ball to LHP Garrett Williams (0-2, 5.29 ERA). Coverage begins at 6:20 p.m. on MiLB.tv, ESPN 690 and ESPN690.com.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for another Saturday giveaway at 121 Financial Ballpark. For the annual back-to-school game, the Jumbo Shrimp are giving away a back-to-school lunchbag presented by Baptist Health & Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital to the first 2,000 fans through the gates.

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.