Wahoos Defeat Shrimp 7-4

Jumbo Shrimp left-handed starting pitcher McKenzie Mills (0-1) took the loss in his Double-A and Marlins organization debut, going two-thirds of the first inning where he allowed five runs (all earned) on four hits with a walk and no strikeouts. Pensacola left-handed starting pitcher Seth Varner (8-2) earned the win, going seven innings where he allowed three runs (all earned) on eight hits with no walk and three strikeouts. Pensacola's Alex Powers worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 16th save of the season.

The Wahoos built an early lead against Mills in the bottom of the first. Shed Long hit a three-run triple to give the Wahoos their initial 3-0 lead, before Taylor Featherston brought him home with a two-run homer to left to grow the lead to 5-0. Jacksonville got a run back in the top of the second, thanks to a solo homer by Brian Schales to get the score to 5-1. John Silviano got the Jumbo Shrimp closer in the top of the fourth with an RBI single, cutting Pensacola's lead to 5-2. The next inning saw Monte Harrison visit Pensacola Bay with a booming home run to left field, his Marlins organization-leading 17th blast of the year, making it a 5-3 game.

The Wahoos answered in the bottom of the fifth, with RBI singles by Gavin LaValley and the pitcher Varner growing the lead to 7-3. Jacksonville's final run came in the bottom of the eighth, when Schales delivered his third hit with an RBI double to right field to put the score at 7-4, which would be the final.

Miami Marlins center fielder Lewis Brinson went 0-for-3 at the plate in the first game of his major league rehab assignment, playing the first five innings of the game in center field for Jacksonville. Schales ended his night 3-for-4 with two runs batted in, and all of his hits were for extra bases.

The Jumbo Shrimp and Wahoos will continue their series with the second contest of the five-game set on Wednesday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium at 7:35 p.m. eastern. Right-handed pitcher Nick Neidert (, 0.00 ERA) will start for Jacksonville against Pensacola left-handed pitcher Seth Varner (7-2, 3.01 ERA). Fans can listen to Monday's game on the Jumbo Shrimp Network presented by Community First, beginning at 7:20 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.

Jacksonville will return home to open a five-game series with the Birmingham Barons at 6:05 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 19. Gates open at 5 p.m. for Southpaw's Birthday, with local mascots on hand and a Pregame Candy Drop in the outfield presented by Jax Refrigeration. Families can play catch on the field, followed by player autographs on Baptist Health Sunday Family FUNday. Kids activities will be in the Wolfson Children's Hospital Kids Zone, and after the game, kids 12 and under can run the bases. The game is presented by Easy 102.9.

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.