Bulls broom Jumbo Shrimp in twin bill

Jacksonville musters just three hits between 3-0 and 5-2 defeats

Archie Bradley pitched 5.0 scoreless innings in Wednesday's doubleheader finale. (Joey Mims/Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp)

By Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

May 31, 2023

DURHAM, N.C. – The Durham Bulls swept Wednesday’s doubleheader from the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 3-0 and 5-2 from Durham Bulls Athletic Park. In the opener, the only runs scored came in the second. Jacksonville (23-29) starter Chi Chi González (2-4) yielded a leadoff single to Ben Gamel before Ruben Cardenas

DURHAM, N.C. – The Durham Bulls swept Wednesday’s doubleheader from the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 3-0 and 5-2 from Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

In the opener, the only runs scored came in the second. Jacksonville (23-29) starter Chi Chi González (2-4) yielded a leadoff single to Ben Gamel before Ruben Cardenas launched a two-run home run. After a strikeout, Niko Hulsizer singled. After another strikeout, Hulsizer stole second base and scored on Jonathan Aranda’s RBI single to make it 3-0.

Durham (30-23) starter Evan McKendry (5-0) threw a complete game shutout, scattering just two hits in 7.0 innings without walking a batter and striking out six.

The finale was scoreless through seven innings of regulation, thanks in large part to an excellent spot start from Jumbo Shrimp starter Archie Bradley, who fired 5.0 blank frames.

In the eighth, Tristan Gray started as the zombie runner against Jacksonville reliever Geoff Hartlieb (0-1). After two quick outs, Gamel entered as a pinch-hitter and doubled off the wall in left for the game’s first run.

In the bottom of the eighth, a ground out pushed zombie runner Santiago Chavez to third base. After a walk, an error plated Chavez to tie the score. Another walk loaded the bases, but Bulls reliever Ryan Thompson struck out the next two batters to send the game into the ninth inning.

Durham would then break things open. Aranda singled in zombie runner Vidal Brujan to begin the inning. An Osleivis Basabe base hit and Kyle Manzardo walked loaded the bases, but the Jumbo Shrimp executed a 6-2-3 double play to leave the score at 2-1. However, Gray followed by crushing a three-run shot to widen the gap to 5-1.

In the bottom of the inning, Victor Victor Mesa’s RBI ground out put the final tally at 5-2.

Jacksonville and Durham meet in Thursday’s 6:35 p.m. contest. RHP Jeff Lindgren (4-2, 5.35 ERA) starts for the Jumbo Shrimp against Bulls LHP José Lopez (2-2, 6.43 ERA). Coverage begins at 6:20 p.m. on ESPN 690 AM and www.ESPN690.com.

*ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: *The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at 121 Financial Ballpark. 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. The club added its second Promotional Trophy in three years following the 2019 season. The 2021 season marked the return of Triple-A baseball in Jacksonville. 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.