Long ball dooms Jacksonville in Tuesday loss

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Will Banfield homered in a two-hit effort, but the Jumbo Shrimp fell to the Nashville Sounds 12-2 Tuesday at 121 Financial Ballpark.

In a 2-1 game, Wes Clarke singled with one out in the sixth. Brewer Hicklen (7) launched a two-run home run off Jacksonville (17-23) starter Kyle Tyler (L, 1-2), extending the Nashville (19-21) lead. Yonny Hernandez was hit by a pitch and two batters later, Eric Haase (5) belted a two-run home run, giving the Sounds a 6-1 lead.

Nashville’s impressive offensive night continued in the seventh. Vinny Capra singled to start the inning and Issac Collins followed with a walk. After two strikeouts, Hicklen (8) struck again with his second home run in as many at-bats pushing the Sounds advantage 9-1.

Up by eight runs, the Sounds did not slow down in the eighth inning. Haase and Freddy Zamora hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. With runners at first and second, Collins walked to load the bases. Tyler Black rolled a grounder to first and scored Haase which brought Nashville’s run total to ten. Clarke followed with a two-run double down the left field line. The three-run inning put the game out of reach for Jacksonville who fell behind by 11.

Jacksonville did not go down quietly in the ninth. Griffin Conine singled with one out. After a fielder’s choice, Marty Costes singled to put two runners on with two outs. Cristhian Rodriguez brought home Jacksonville’s first run since the fourth with a double to center. Nashville locked down the win two batters later and secured a 12-2 win.

Nashville struck first in the series opener. Capra singled to lead off the fourth. With a runner at first, Collins laced a double which scored Capra and gave the Sounds the lead. Black ripped a single to right field to put runners at the corners. Following a visit to the mound, Black stole second, putting two runners in scoring position. Clarke worked a walk and Nashville loaded the bases. Hicklen popped a fly ball to left and brought home Collins on a sacrifice fly. Kyle Tyler (1-2) escaped on a pop up two batters later, but Nashville pulled ahead 2-0.

The Jumbo Shrimp cut into the deficit in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs, Banfield (4) cracked a solo home run and made it a 2-1 ballgame.

Jacksonville and Nashville will continue the series Wednesday at 12:05 p.m. from 121 Financial Ballpark. LHP Kent Emanuel (0-1, 2.76) will make the start and RHP Chad Patrick (1-1, 3.52) will counter for Nashville. Coverage begins at 11:50 a.m. on Bally Live, MLB.tv, MiLB.tv and milb.streamguys1.com/jacksonville.

Gates open at 11:00 a.m. for “VyStar Good Is Everywhere Wednesday.” Jacksonville has partnered with local charities, to raise awareness and funds through ticket sales.

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 121 Financial 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.