Jacksonville wins for the 10th time in 12 contests
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With the score tied at three in the eighth inning, Joe Dunand clubbed a two-run home run to left field to put the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in front on their way to a 6-4 victory over the Norfolk Tides on Tuesday at 121 Financial Ballpark.
Jacksonville (44-34) claimed their 10th win in their last 12 games while collecting their sixth last-at-bat win over that stretch in taking the opening game of a seven-game series against the Tides (30-46).
To start the eighth, Zack Zehner worked a one-out walk against Isaac Mattson (loss, 0-2) ahead of Dunand’s fifth home run of the season. Tristan Pompey and Justin Twine continued the inning with back-to-back opposite field singles, and Bryson Brigman added an insurance run with a safety squeeze to plate Pompey and put the Jumbo Shrimp in front, 6-3.
The Jumbo Shrimp tied the game at 3-3 one inning prior. With Monte Harrison at third base and one out, Lewin Díaz ripped a ball past second base for his 39th RBI of the season.
Shawn Morimando (win, 3-3) was outstanding in relief, firing 6.2 innings and striking out seven while yielding just two runs on five hits. He took over from Cody Poteet, who was making a rehab start for Jacksonville. Poteet ceded two runs in 2.1 innings and collecting a pair of strikeouts.
After Brigman walked to lead off the bottom of the first inning, Harrison clocked an opposite field two-run homer to right to put Jacksonville in front.
Norfolk drew even in the second inning when Mason McCoy tripled to center field, scoring Kelvin Gutiérrez and Brett Cumberland, who reached on a singled and a walk, respectively, tying the score at 2-2.
Norfolk briefly took the lead in the fifth inning when Robert Neustrom singled home McCoy after he singled earlier in the frame. The Tides plated their final run in the ninth inning on a two-out single from Ryan Ripken, but Morimando was able to strand the tying run on base to close out the win.
The series continues with a doubleheader at 5:05 p.m. on Wednesday. The Jumbo Shrimp will start righty Jordan Holloway (0-3, 4.50) in game one, up against Norfolk left-hander Kevin Smith (1-3, 5.26). Jacksonville lefty Brandon Leibrandt (0-4, 6.04) gets the nod in game two for Jacksonville, while the Tides have not yet named a starter for the second game.
Gates open at 4:30 p.m. for Forever Vets Animal Hospital Canines and Crustaceans (Dog Day) where canines get in free as long as their human companion buys a ticket. Also, join VyStar Credit Union as they partner with the Jim and Tabitha Furyk Foundation to raise awareness and funds throughout the game through ticket sales and promotions. Fans who present their VyStar credit or debit card at the Miller Electric Box Office will receive buy-one-get-one tickets (valid for ticket of equal or lesser value, subject to availability).
The Jumbo Shrimp will collect school supplies to be donated to Duval County Public Schools. Fans can also donate baseballs to DCPS. Everyone who donates to all five of our A Better Jacksonville Series Drive Results Series games will be entered to throw out a first pitch later in the season.
Coverage begins at 4:50 p.m. on ESPN 690 as well as online at espn690.com, MiLB.tv, and on the MiLB First Pitch app.
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 marks 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.
