Harrison homers, Alvarez tallies three hits in 5-1 win
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Monte Harrison homered to highlight a five run fourth inning on Sunday as the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp claimed the finale from Durham, 5-1, to earn a series split with the Durham Bulls in front of 4,998 fans at 121 Financial Ballpark.
At the conclusion of their 36-game season series, the Jumbo Shrimp (61-47) trail the Bulls (68-39) by 7.5 games in the Southeast Division with 12 games to play before a champion is determined prior to the Triple-A Final Stretch.
Trailing 1-0 in the fourth inning, Nick Fortes reached on an infield single, and Lewin Díaz drew a walk against Brent Honeywell Jr. (loss, 4-3). Eddy Alvarez and Dustin Fowler then tallied back-to-back RBI singles to put the Jumbo Shrimp in front, 2-1. Harrison followed by uncorking a three-run homer to left field to make it a 5-1 Jacksonville lead.
Brandon Leibrandt (win, 1-6) earned his first win of the season, striking out five over five innings. The only run he allowed was on a solo homer from Brett Sullivan in the third inning, which at the time put Durham ahead, 1-0.
Parker Bugg struck out three and pitched around four walks in two scoreless innings in relief, while Mason Melotakis and Rob Zastryzny each tossed a scoreless frame as well to hold the Durham offense at bay. The Jacksonville bullpen has now allowed just two earned runs over their last 24 innings of work.
After a day off Monday, the Jumbo Shrimp begin a six-game series against the Charlotte Knights, Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. at 121 Financial Ballpark. Gates open at 6 p.m. for a Community First Credit Union Two for Tuesday where tickets are two-for-one at the Miller Electric Box Office for Community First Credit Union members using their CFCU credit or debit card. It’s also Psychic Night, and if a fan successfully predicts the runs, hits and errors for both teams, along with that night’s winning pitcher, they could go home with $5,000! (well… $4,999 for legal reasons).
Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on ESPN 690 and 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.
