Late hitting lifts Memphis over Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Eury Pérez struck out seven in three-plus innings but the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp fell to the Memphis Redbirds 5-3, Thursday night at VyStar Ballpark in front of 6,092 fans.

Jacksonville (29-19) evened the game in the seventh. Brian Navarreto singled and Albert Almora walked. Jacob Berry reached on a fielder’s choice and Jakob Marsee walked to load the bases. In the ensuing at-bat, Andrew Pintar drove in Almora with a sac fly tying the game at two.

Memphis (25-21)took the late lead in the eighth inning. Ryan Vilade singled and Bryan Torres walked. Gavin Collins sacrificed both runners to second and third and Michael Siani walked to load the bases. Fermín continued his great day singling home a pair to give the Redbirds a 4-2 lead. Siani went to third and scored on an infield single from Matt Koperniak.

The Jumbo Shrimp drew first blood in the bottom of the first. Marsee doubled off Memphis starter Michael McGreevy. Two batters later Troy Johnston singled, putting runners on first and second. Heriberto Hernandez reached on a fielder’s choice, allowing Marsee to score the opening run.

The Redbirds evened the game immediately in the top of the second. With two outs, Torres (3) crushed a solo home run, tying the game at one.

Memphis took the lead and never looked back in the fourth. With one out, Vilade tripled and Torres walked. Two batters later, Siani walked and Fermín was hit by a pitch plating Vilade to put Memphis ahead 2-1.

Jacksonville and Memphis meet again in Friday’s 7:05 p.m. contest from VyStar Ballpark. RHP Janson Junk (4-3, 2.78 ERA) starts for the Jumbo Shrimp against Redbirds LHP Alex Cornwell (1-3, 9.11 ERA). Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on MLB.tv, MiLB.tv, Bally Live, ESPN 690 AM and www.ESPN690.com.

Gates open at 6 p.m. for Friday Night Lites. Join the Jumbo Shrimp for Friday Night Lites with $2, 12-oz. Miller Lites and $1 off craft beer in the craft cave. Be one of the first 2,000 fans through the Main Gate on Georgia St. to obtain a stylish Jumbo Shrimp hat, presented by UF Health. **1 giveaway per person, not per ticket.** **Giveaways only available when entering through the Main Gate on Georgia St.** Join the Jumbo Shrimp in recognizing and celebrating local EMS workers for EMS Night, presented by UF Health. Fans who wear red for Red Shirt Friday can save $1 at the Miller Electric Box Office or donate that $1 to True Vet Solutions. Make sure to stay after the game for post game fireworks, presented by UF Health.

ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins and compete in the International League. The team calls VyStar Ballpark home for baseball but also a wide variety of additional community focused events with a goal of providing Affordable, Family, FUN to Northeast Florida. Winners of many marketing and sales awards and recognition since the team was rebranded prior to the 2017 season, the Jumbo Shrimp continually lead the state of Florida in attendance across all minor league professional sports organizations.