Jumbo Shrimp can’t overcome early deficit in loss to Memphis

Hernandez & Winkler homer in loss

Heriberto Hernandez homers in Jacksonville's loss to Memphis Wednesday night. (Kaley Mantz/Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp)

By Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

May 21, 2025

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Despite home runs from Heriberto Hernandez and Jack Winkler, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp couldn’t overcome an early deficit in their 7-3 loss to the Memphis Redbirds Wednesday night at VyStar Ballpark. Memphis (24-21) drew first blood in the top of the first. Michael Siani (3) crushed a

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Despite home runs from Heriberto Hernandez and Jack Winkler, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp couldn’t overcome an early deficit in their 7-3 loss to the Memphis Redbirds Wednesday night at VyStar Ballpark.

Memphis (24-21) drew first blood in the top of the first. Michael Siani (3) crushed a solo home run off Jacksonville (29-18) starter Adam Mazur (2-4).

The Redbirds increased their lead in the top of the second. Jimmy Crooks and César Prieto smacked consecutive singles. A passed ball pushed runners to second and third as Ryan Vilade hit a sac fly scoring Crooks to put Memphis ahead 2-0. Prieto advanced to third and scored on a sac fly from Mike Antico for a three-run advantage.

Jacksonville plated their first run in the bottom of the second. Heriberto Hernandez (8) blasted a solo home run off Redbirds hurlerCurtis Taylor (W, 2-0).

The Jumbo Shrimp pulled to within one in the bottom of the third. Albert Almora led off with a walk and advanced to second. Jakob Marsee knocked in Almora with a base hit, cutting the deficit to 3-2.

The Redbirds extended their lead in the top of the fourth. With one out, Crooks reached on an error. A fielder’s choice, coupled with an error allowed Prieto to reach first and Crooks went to third. With runners at the corners, Antico drove in Crooks with a base hit giving Memphis a 4-2 lead.

Jacksonville’s final run came in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs, Jack Winkler (3) walloped a solo homer making it a one-run game again.

Memphis continued to build their lead in the fifth. Luken Baker (3) crushed a solo shot, padding the lead to two.

The Redbirds final runs came in the sixth. Vilade drew a leadoff walk and went to second on a single from Antico. Following a sacrifice bunt that put runners on second and third, José Fermín singled and an error plated two runs giving Memphis a 7-3 lead.

Jacksonville and Memphis meet again in Wednesday’s 7:05 p.m. contest from VyStar Ballpark. RHP Adam Mazur (2-3, 3.46 ERA) starts for the Jumbo Shrimp against Redbirds RHP Curtis Taylor (1-0, 3.48 ERA). Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on MLB.tv, MiLB.tv, Bally Live, ESPN 690 AM and www.ESPN690.com.

Gates open at 6 p.m. on Coors Light Thirsty Thursday. Thursday home games are the best happy hour on the first coast. Fans can purchase $2 (16-oz. drafts) drafts and $3 (24-oz. drafts) at various locations throughout the ballpark. Have you ever wondered how hard being an umpire is? The Jumbo Shrimp are going to show you. Throughout the game, the Jumbo Shrimp will be playing close plays and fans will have five seconds to make the correct call.

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.