JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp shortstop KC Serna and first baseman Taylor Ard each homered, and right-hander Chris Mazza pitched 5 2/3 innings for his first win of the season to defeat the Mississippi Braves, 5-2, and extend a four-game winning streak in front of 4,770 on Education Day
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp shortstop KC Serna and first baseman Taylor Ard each homered, and right-hander Chris Mazza pitched 5 2/3 innings for his first win of the season to defeat the Mississippi Braves, 5-2, and extend a four-game winning streak in front of 4,770 on Education Day Monday at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
Serna, who returned to the roster Monday after 13 days with Triple-A New Orleans, led off the first inning against Braves left-hander Max Fried (2-6) with his first Southern League home run over the left field ribbon board.
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Jacksonville (19-26) added to the lead in the fourth inning. Right fielder Cal Towey hit a one-out single to center field, and Ard sent a high drive down the left-field line for his fifth home run of the season, extending the lead to 3-0.
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In the bottom of the fifth inning, Jacksonville center fielder Yefri Pérez led off with a bunt single, and Mazza reached on his own sacrifice when Perez beat a throw to second base. Fried's errant pickoff throw toward second base allowed both runners to advance, so Fried intentionally walked second baseman David Vidal to load the bases. Third baseman Brian Anderson hit a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0. Fried lasted six innings, allowing four earned runs on six hits and three walks with six strikeouts.
Mazza kept Mississippi (22-23) scoreless for the first five innings. In the top of the sixth inning, Fried hit a leadoff single, and second baseman Luis Valenzuela hit an RBI triple to right field. Center fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. hit a sacrifice fly to bring the Braves within 4-2. Mazza left with two outs, allowing two earned runs on four hits and one walk with five strikeouts.
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The Jumbo Shrimp added an eighth-inning run when left fielder Alex Glenn doubled, went to third base on a sacrifice by catcher Austin Nola and later scored on a wild pitch against right-hander Jason Hursh.
Left-hander James Buckelew pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the Jumbo Shrimp, before right-hander Hunter Adkins pitched the final two innings with two strikeouts and no hits or walks to earn his second save.
UP NEXT: The Jumbo Shrimp open a series with Jackson at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, when Miami Marlins left-hander Jeff Locke (0-0) is scheduled to make his second rehab start for Jacksonville against Generals right-hander Brad Keller (3-1). Gates open at 6 p.m. for Date Night, when fans can get a pair of tickets, two hot dogs, two sodas, and popcorn for just $20 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville box office windows on game day. Watch for the Kiss Cam!
ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are beginning a new era of affordable family fun with the 2017 season presented by Community First Credit Union at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. With a new lineup of ticket and group options, there is a reason for everyone to get part of the action by calling the Jumbo Shrimp at (904) 358-2846 or visiting www.jaxshrimp.com.
