Morimando, Guzman combine to allow just two runs on the mound
MEMPHIS, Tenn. –The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp were held hitless through the first four innings and were unable to score the tying run in each of the last two frames on Sunday, falling 2-1 to the Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park.
The Jumbo Shrimp (29-23) finished with five hits in the ballgame, but went hitless with runners in scoring position, settling for a series split. Memphis (21-33) got a sensational start from Connor Thomas who retired 21 of the 23 batters he faced.
Trailing 2-0 in the eighth inning, Brian Miller reached on an infield single with two outs. Corey Bird followed with an RBI double to left-center to trim the deficit in half. Jacksonville was unable to get any closer, stranding Bird in the eighth, and after a pinch-hit single in the ninth inning from Deven Marrero, once again leaving the tying run aboard.
Shawn Morimando (3-2) suffered the tough luck loss in the ballgame, yielding just two runs over five innings of work. After retiring the first five batters he faced, Morimando gave up a solo home run to Connor Capel in the second to give the Redbirds a 1-0 lead.
Memphis struck for a second run in the fourth. Juan Yepez led off the inning with a single and scored on an Ali Sanchez double two batters later. Tristan Pompey made a diving catch in left field to end the inning and limit the damage to just one Redbirds run.
Thomas (win, 3-0) was excellent. He struck out four, and also recorded 12 ground ball outs. After Seth Elledge gave up a run in the eighth, Connor Jones (save, 2) worked a scoreless ninth to close out the win for the Redbirds.
The Jumbo Shrimp return home on Tuesday to face the Charlotte Knights (21-31). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. and gates open at 6 p.m. at 121 Financial Ballpark. It’s a Community First Credit Union Two for Tuesday and tickets are two-for-one at the box office for Community First Credit Union members using their CFCU credit or debit card.
It’s also Women in Sports Day, as the Jumbo Shrimp are proud to recognize all the great women in sports with a celebration of the extraordinary female athletes. Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on ESPN 690 as well as 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.
