Mesa throws out Lowe at plate to save Jacksonville’s win

DURHAM, N.C. – Bryson Brigman’s two-run home run in the sixth gave the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp the lead but Victor Victor Mesa threw out Josh Lowe at the plate in the ninth inning to save the 5-4 win over the Durham Bulls Thursday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

With Jacksonville (60-48) leading 5-4 in the ninth inning, Durham (59-49) was trying for their third straight win. With two outs, Lowe entered as a pinch hitter and singled against Jumbo Shrimp reliever Anthony Maldonado (S, 1). Grant Witherspoon *entered as a pinch hitter for *Joe Hudson and walked. With runners at first and second, Vidal Brujan singled to right but Mesa made a terrific throw home to cut down Lowe and save Jacksonville’s 60th win of the season.

The Jumbo Shrimp took the first lead of the day in the top of the first inning. With two outs, Jesús Sánchez doubled and scored on a single Jerar Encarnacion and throwing error on Brujan.

Durham knotted the score in the bottom of the second. René Pinto led off with a triple and Tristan Gray drove him in with a single to tie the game at one.

The seesaw affair went back to the favor of Jacksonville in the top of the third. Brian Miller led off with a walk and scored the go-ahead run three batters later on a double from Encarnacion. In the ensuing at-bat, Willians Astudillo drove in Encarnacion with a single, pushing the lead to 3-1.

The Bulls took their first lead of the day in the fifth inning against Jacksonville starter Matthew Kent (W, 6-8). With one out, Xavier Edwards and Jim Haley singled. Joe Hudson (8) blasted a three-run home run, turning the game on it’s head as Durham took a 4-3 lead.

The Jumbo Shrimp went back to work immediately in the sixth inning. With two outs, Norel González reached on an error and Brigman (6) launched a two-run home run off Durham starter Taj Bradley (L, 1-3), putting Jacksonville ahead 5-4 for the final time.

Jacksonville’s bullpen returned to ace form, shutting out the Bulls for the final 3.1 innings. George Soriano, Robert Garcia, and Maldonado combined for 3.1 scoreless frames with two hits allowed and three walks against four strikeouts.

Jacksonville and Durham continue their series tomorrow with first pitch slated for 6:35 p.m. The Jumbo Shrimp will hand the ball to RHP Nick Neidert (4-0, 1.96 ERA) and the Bulls will counter with RHP Luis Patiño (1-1, 4.66 ERA). Coverage begins at 6:20 p.m. ESPN 690 and 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.