Henry, Fortes homer in Jacksonville’s 4-3 victory
NORFOLK, Va. – Luis Madero retired all 12 men he faced in relief, stifling Norfolk through the middle innings, as Jacksonville claimed the finale, 4-3, at Harbor Park, Sunday.
The Jumbo Shrimp (58-44) outhit the Tides (40-60) 12-5, including five extra-base hits in the win.
Things tightened up late, as Pat Valaika singled home two runs in the ninth inning to make it a 4-3 ballgame. With the tying and winning runs on base, Al Pedrique turned to Andrew Bellatti (save, 6) who struck out Mason McCoy to seal the win.
Norfolk opened the game by scoring a run in the first inning against Braxton Garrett. Adley Rutschman doubled with one out, and two batters later, Tyler Nevin plated him with an RBI single. Garrett would work three innings, giving up three hits and a walk, while recording two strikeouts.
Payton Henry tied the ballgame in the fourth inning on a solo homer to right field, his third of the road trip. Then in the sixth, Nick Fortes put the Jumbo Shrimp ahead with a solo blast of his own, into the visitor’s bullpen, off of Kyle Bradish (loss, 3-5).
Jacksonville added some valuable insurance in the seventh. Joe Dunand tripled off the wall in right field to begin the inning, and Justin Twine followed with an RBI double to left. With two outs, Monte Harrison capped the rally with a single to left to plate Twine, and put the Shrimp in front, 4-1.
Meanwhile Madero (win, 7-2) was dominant in relief. He struck out three and didn’t allow a baserunner in four scoreless innings. He combined with Garrett and Bryan Mitchell to retire 16 consecutive Tides batters. In two outings in the series, Madero went 7.0 innings, striking out nine, and did not allow a hit or a run.
After a day off on Monday, Jacksonville returns home to host the Durham Bulls beginning Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. for 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. Also, join the Shrimp for school spirit night at the ballpark, where fans are encouraged to wear their school colors at the ballpark.
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.
