Henry, Twine homer in 7-2 defeat
NORFOLK, Va. – Despite home runs from Payton Henry and Justin Twine, a four-run Norfolk Tides first inning on Tuesday proved too much for the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in a 7-2 loss from Harbor Park.
Rylan Bannon began the bottom of the first with a single before Norfolk (47-68) promptly took the lead on an Adley Rutschman RBI triple. Jumbo Shrimp (65-50) starter Nick Neidert issued a pair of walks to load the bases before a wild pitch plated Rutschman to make it 2-0. After another free pass, J.C. Escarra singled in a pair to widen the gap to 4-0.
Jacksonville tried to claw back immediately with Henry homering to start the second. After a couple outs, Twine did the same to halve the Tides lead at 4-2.
However, Norfolk was able to shut the door from there. After Kevin Smith started and yielded two runs on four hits in 4.0 innings, Manny Barreda (2-2) worked three scoreless frames and Adam Plutko finished the final two innings in shutout fashion.
The Tides were able to mount a two-out rally in the sixth to pad their advantage. Brett Cumberland singled before Mason McCoy popped a two-run home run. Bannon walked and then stole second before scoring on a Rutschman base hit to put the tally at 7-2.
Parker Bugg pitched three scoreless innings of relief for the Jumbo Shrimp, with Bryan Mitchell tallying two perfect frames.
The clubs meet in Wednesday’s 7:05 p.m. contest from Harbor Park, as LHP Shawn Morimando (3-4, 4.63 ERA) starts for Jacksonville against Norfolk RHP Ofelky Peralta (3-1, 5.09 ERA). Coverage begins at 6:50 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 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.
