Garrett fans seven in five scoreless frames
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp got a terrific start from Braxton Garrett, but were stifled offensively by the Durham Bulls, who carried a no-hitter into the eighth, on their way to a 5-2 victory in front of 6,004 at 121 Financial Ballpark.
Jacksonville (60-46) now falls to 14-21 this season against the Bulls (68-38), but have an opportunity to earn a series split with a win on Sunday.
With the game scoreless in the sixth inning, Vidal Brujan led off with an infield single, and made it to third following a wild pitch and a groundout. Josh Lowe then bounced a ball to second and Bryson Brigman gunneddown Brujan at the plate to keep the game scoreless. Lowe however stole second, and on a wide throw to first base on a ground ball from Mike Brosseau, Lowe alertly scampered home with the ball still in the infield. Rene Pinto compounded the Jacksonville miscue with a two-run homer one batter later, to put the Bulls ahead 3-0.
Durham added on in the seventh, with the bases loaded and two outs, Lowe lined a two-run single to center field, scoring David Freitas and Tristan Gray, who led off the inning with a single and a walk respectively against Luis Madero (loss, 7-3).
Garrett did not factor in the decision despite delivering five scoreless innings, striking out seven, and allowing just two hits and a walk. He threw 46 of his 75 pitches for strikes.
Offensively, Jacksonville was held without a hit for the first 7.1 innings, reaching base only on a pair of walks from Tommy Romero (win, 3-2). Romero struck out six in five innings, and Josh Flemming followed by retiring the first seven batter he faced. Brian Miller ended the no-hit bid with a single to right field with Jacksonville down to their final five outs.
The Jumbo Shrimp again struck in the ninth inning. Eddy Alvarez singled to right with two outs, and Lorenzo Quintana followed with a triple to center field to narrow the margin to 5-2, but Nick Fortes flew out to end the rally.
The series finale is set for Sunday at 6:35 p.m. with Jacksonville lefty Brandon Leibrandt (0-6, 9.92) set to do battle with Durham right-hander Brent Honeywell Jr. (4-2, 3.38). Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for Baptist Health Sunday Family FUNday feature FREE face painting, balloon animals and postgame kids run the bases. Be sure to stick around after the game for the final of the Jumbo Shrimp’s three Weekend of Boom Fireworks Shows, presented by Baptist Health.
Coverage begins at 6:20 p.m. at Facebook.com/ESPN690JAX and on MiLB.tv.
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.
