Jumbo Shrimp win for 12th time in 15 games, edge Norfolk, 3-2
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Trailing 2-0 and down to their final strike, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp rallied in the ninth inning, scoring three times, capped by a Nick Fortes walk-off double to defeat the Norfolk Tides 3-2, Friday at 121 Financial Ballpark.
The victory was the 12th for the Jumbo Shrimp (46-35) in their last 15 games, with eight of those wins coming in last-at-bat fashion. With the win, Jacksonville takes a three games to one lead over Norfolk (31-48) in the seven-game series.
Down 2-0 in the ninth, Bryson Brigman reached on a fielder’s choice to extend the inning with two outs. Corey Bird lined a single to center field to put runners at the corners. Payton Henry then looped an RBI double down the right field line to score Brigman and put the Jumbo Shrimp on the board against Dean Kremer (loss, 0-5). Fernando Abad took over on the mound for Norfolk, and Fortes greeted him with a two-run double down the left field line to win it for Jacksonville.
The Jumbo Shrimp offense has been held silent prior to the ninth inning. Mike Baumann, who pitched collegiately at Jacksonville University, tossed six scoreless innings and struck out six. He held the Jumbo Shrimp hitless through the first 5.2 innings, and allowed only three baserunners in the contest.
Daniel Castano made the rehab start for the Jumbo Shrimp and faced just one over the minimum in three innings of work. He allowed one hit and one walk.
Luis Madero tossed four innings in relief of Castano. Robert Neustrom hit a solo home run in the fourth as the first batter to face Madero. The righty bucked down to only allow one other run, which came in the fifth inning when Tyler Nevin singled home Neustrom, who had led off the frame with a double. Madero finished with five strikeouts.
Preston Guilmet worked a scoreless eighth inning, and Andrew Bellatti (win, 1-1) retired the Tides in order in the ninth.
Jacksonville goes for a series win Saturday when they send righty Edward Cabrera (0-1, 3.38) to the mound to face off with right-hander Ofelky Peralta (0-0, 9.64) at 6:35 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the first 2,000 fans will receive a back-to-school backpack giveaway presented by Baptist Health & Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
Following the game, the Jumbo Shrimp will host their annual Family Faith Night featuring a testimonial from mental health therapist, motivational speaker and former Jacksonville Jaguars ROAR cheerleader Shenette Doyle.
Coverage begins at 6:20 p.m. on ESPN 690 and online at espn690.com, MiLB.tv, and 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.
