BayBears plate pair of early runs but drop opener

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (June 28, 2017) - The Mobile BayBears, the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, grabbed an early two-run lead but were defeated by the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 4-2 Wednesday night at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
The BayBears (33-42 overall, 3-3 second half) plated a pair of runs in the third inning. Jared Walsh hit a home run to right field on the first pitch of the frame. Jordan Serena doubled in his first Double-A at-bat and scored later in the inning on a wild pitch. Serena finished the game 2-for-3 with two doubles.
Jake Jewell (4-5) recorded 11 straight outs from the second through sixth, but he ended up taking the loss. Jewell allowed three runs on seven hits, including a go-ahead two-run homer by John Norwood in the sixth.
Gunkel settled in and allowed just one baserunner after giving up the two runs in the third. He finished with a seven-inning quality start, and Mobile only recorded four hits against him.
The Jumbo Shrimp (33-43, 3-3) tallied another run in the seventh on Braxton Lee's RBI single and then loaded the bases. Justin Anderson entered the game and retired the next three batters to get Mobile out of the jam. However, despite having runners on base in the eighth and ninth, the BayBears failed to score again.
The BayBears continue the six-game road series against Jacksonville Thursday at 6:05 p.m. CT. Right-handed pitcher Jaime Barria (1-1, 0.92 ERA) is slated to make the start against righty Trevor Richards (1-0, 5.06 ERA) for the Jumbo Shrimp. Live coverage can be seen on MiLB.tv (Jacksonville feed, subscription required, promo code: BAYBEARS) and heard on the BayBears Broadcast Network, the TuneIn Radio App, and the MiLB First Pitch App, with the Countdown to First Pitch starting at 5:45 p.m. CT.
The BayBears host a total of 70 home dates through Labor Day, September 4. Single-game tickets and ticket packages are currently on sale. Season tickets and group and hospitality offerings for the 2017 season can be reserved by calling (251) 479-BEAR (2327).
About the Mobile BayBears
The Mobile BayBears are the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles of Anaheim and play their games at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. The BayBears were founded in 1997 and have won four Southern League titles in 1998, 2004, 2011, and 2012. Additionally, the 1998 and 2011 championship squads were named Minor League Team of the Year by Baseball America. More than 160 former BayBears have reached the Major League level, including All-Stars Max Scherzer, Paul Goldschmidt, Jake Peavy, Carlos González, and Justin Upton. For more information on the Mobile BayBears and Hank Aaron Stadium, please visit MobileBayBears.com, call (251) 479-BEAR (2327), or contact Steve Goldberg via email at [email protected].
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