Three-run sixth sinks Jacksonville

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Despite a home run from Heriberto Hernandez, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp fell to the Memphis Redbirds 6-4 Wednesday night at AutoZone Park.

Memphis (9-6) entered the bottom of the sixth trailing 4-2. César Prieto started the inning with a double and went to third on a base hit from Ryan Vilade. Matt Lloyd followed with a two-run double tying the game at four. A wild pitch coupled with a balk brought Lloyd in from third giving the Redbirds a one-run advantage, 5-4.

The Redbirds added their final run in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Michael Helman walked and stole second. Two batters later, Vilade drove in Helman with a base hit increasing the lead to 6-4.

Jacksonville (12-5) opened the scoring in the top of the second. Deyvison De Los Santos singled and Hernandez walked. A sacrifice bunt and a double from Jacob Berry drove in both runners giving the Jumbo Shrimp an early 2-0 advantage.

Memphis cut into the deficit in the bottom of the third. With two outs, Helman doubled and scored on a single from Prieto.

The Jumbo Shrimp added to their lead in the fourth. Hernandez (3) clobbered a solo home run making the score 3-1.

The Redbirds plated a run in the bottom of the fifth. Matt Koperniak singled off Cade Gibson (L, 1-1) and stole second. Jose Barrero followed with a single and Koperniak scored on a fielder’s choice from Jimmy Crooks pulling Memphis to within one, 3-2.

Jacksonville’s final tally came in the top of the sixth. Agustín Ramirez started with a single and stole second. De Los Santos walked and two batters later, Ronny Simon knocked in Ramirez on a base hit pushing the lead to 4-2.

Jacksonville and Memphis meet again in Thursday’s 7:45 p.m. ET contest. RHP Valente Bellozo (0-0, 1.50 ERA) starts for the Jumbo Shrimp against Redbirds LHP Alex Cornwell (2-1, 3.86 ERA). Coverage begins at 7;30 p.m. ET on ESPN 690 AM and ESPN690.com.

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.