Strong pitching aids in Jacksonville’s 6-2 win over Durham

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Thanks to Adam Mazur’s season-high six innings and eight strikeouts, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp beat the Durham Bulls 6-2 Thursday night in front of 5,468 fans at VyStar Ballpark.

After falling behind in the top of the sixth, the Jumbo Shrimp (36-24) regained the lead and never looked back in the bottom of the sixth. Andrew Pintar reached on a fielder’s choice. A stolen base coupled with a base hit from Albert Almora Jr. evened the contest at two. In the ensuing at-bat, Brian Navarreto (3) clobbered a two-run home run, giving Jacksonville a two-run advantage, 4-2.

Jacksonville added an insurance run tin the seventh. With two outs, Joe Mack reached on an error and Pauley smashed a double, scoring Mack giving the Jumbo Shrimp a three-run advantage.

The Jumbo Shrimp extended their lead to four in the eighth. With one out, Almora Jr. sliced a double and scored two batters later on an RBI single by Harrison Spohn.

The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp’s offense came out firing in the bottom of the first. With one out, Matt Mervis reached on an error and Mack was hit by a pitch. Pauley laced a single loading the bases and Andrew Pintar hit a sac fly scoring the first run for the Shrimp.

After five scoreless frames, the Durham Bulls’ (33-27) bats awoke in the top of the sixth. Peters drew a walk to start the frame and Tanner Murray (7) clobbered a two-run homer, putting the Bulls in front 2-1.

Jacksonville and Durham continue the series Friday at 7:05 p.m. RHP Robinson Piña (4-2, 3.30 ERA) will start on the mound for the Jumbo Shrimp and RHP Kyle Gibson (0-1, 4.50 ERA) gets the ball for the Bulls. Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on Bally Live, MLB.tv, MiLB.tv, ESPN 690, and ESPN690.com.

Gates open at 6 p.m. for Friday Night Lites, presented by Miller Lite. Fans can enjoy $2, 12oz. Miller Lites and $1 off craft beer in the Craft Cave. Arrrr you ready for Pirate night? Sail the high seas of Jacksonville and show off your best pirate look. Fans who choose to wear red for Red Shirt Friday to support the military can save $1 on your ticket at the Miller Electric Box Office on Georgia Street or donate the dollar to True Vet Solutions. Gates open at 6pm.

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.