Shrimp Top Braves 8-1, 3-0 on Rainy Thursday

PEARL, Miss. - The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (20-27) defeated the Mississippi Braves (20-27) by an 8-1 score in the first game of the five-game series that had been suspended due to rain on Wednesday and completed on Thursday evening, and then earned a 3-0 win in a seven-inning game that followed a one hour and 37-minute rain delay.

Jacksonville had led 2-0 going to the top of the third before rain suspended the first game of the series on Wednesday. It wars resumed starting at 5 p.m. central today and played to its full nine innings, with Jacksonville winning 8-1. Jumbo Shrimp right-handed relief pitcher Kolton Mahoney (3-3) earned the win with the first five innings of relief work, while Mississippi right-handed starter Kyle Wright (2-5) took the loss, allowing the two runs on Wednesday.
Mahoney helped his own cause in the top of the fourth inning with an RBI groundout scoring Rodrigo Vigil to put Jacksonville ahead 3-0. Marlins No. 1 prospect Monte Harrison grew the lead with a 445-foot home run to deep left field in the top of the fifth to give Jacksonville a 4-0 after his team-leading sixth homer of the season.
The M-Braves plated a run against Mahoney in the bottom of the sixth to put the score at 4-1. Jacksonville more than answered in the top of the seventh, as Eric Jagielo drove with the bases loaded delivered a bases-clearing 3 run double to put the lead at 7-1. The next batter John Norwood brought him home with an RBI double of his own that put the lead at 8-1, which would be the final score.
After Mahoney's five innings, the Shrimp bullpen saw scoreless innings by Zech Lemond in the eighth and Jose Pena in the ninth to close out the game in a Jacksonville seven-run victory, the largest winning margin on the road for the Jumbo Shrimp this season.
In between games the Jumbo Shrimp and Braves had to wait out a one-hour and 37-minute rain delay, but were finally able to play ball starting at 8:59 p.m. local time, with Jacksonville winning the seven-inning game 3-0.
Jacksonville right-handed pitcher Pablo López (1-2) earned his first Double-A victory by pitching six scoreless innings, allowing just five hits with no walks and five strikeouts, as he lowered his ERA to 0.24 (1 ER/37.2 IP). Mississippi right-handed starter Touki Toussaint (2-4) took the loss, going six innings where he allowed two runs on six hits with no walks and 10 strikeouts. Jacksonville left-handed reliever José Quijada earned his fourth save of the year by getting the final out in the bottom of the seventh.
After the first three innings in the pitcher's duel, Jacksonville broke through in the top of the fourth thanks to an RBI single by Sharif Othman to go in front 1-0. Two innings later in the sixth Brian Schales added an RBI single to make it 2-0 off Toussaint. The Jumbo Shrimp then added an RBI double by Kyle Barrett in the top of the seventh off Braves relief pitcher Jacob Webb to lead 3-0, which would be the final score.
After Lopez was dominant in his six innings, Marcus Crescentini took over for the bottom of the seventh. Despite two strikeouts, he walked three batters to load the bases. Quijada came in and in a lefty-lefty matchup struck out Luis Valenzuela looking to end the game in a 3-0 Jacksonville win.
The Jumbo Shrimp and Braves will continue their series with the third game of the five-game series on Friday night at Trustmark Park at 8 p.m. eastern. Right-handed pitcher Robert Dugger (0-0, 2.08 ERA) will be opposed by Mississippi right-handed starter Bryse Wilson (1-0, 2.87 ERA). Fans can listen to Friday's game on the Jumbo Shrimp Network presented by Community First, beginning at 5:45 p.m. eastern with the pregame show "Shrimp On Deck" locally on Sunny 102.3 FM, on the TuneIn Radio app, and www.jaxshrimp.com.
The Jumbo Shrimp return to the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville Tuesday, May 29, for the opener of a five-game series with Pensacola. Gates open at 6 p.m. for Community First Credit Union Two-for-Tuesday, when tickets are 2-for-1 at the box office for Community First members using a CFCU credit or debit card, and fans can learn about the Jumbo Shrimp VISA® Debit Card on the concourse. Coors Light $2 Tuesday means $1 12-oz. and $2 24-oz. Coors Light. Small sodas are $1 at the concession stands. Painting With A Twist will offer a painting class during the game, which fans can purchase in advance in a package including Sky Deck seating and a picnic buffet. Space is limited. The package is on sale at tinyurl.com/jaxshrimpportal (password "TWIST").
ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. 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. 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.