Harrison blasts 13th home run of season in game one
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and Charlotte Knights split a doubleheader at 121 Financial Ballpark on Saturday, with the Jumbo Shrimp winning game one, 2-1, and the Knights claiming game two by the identical score.
The Jumbo Shrimp (65-49) were eliminated from title contention with a loss and a Durham win, but they did claim the season series from the Knights (43-70).
Game 1:
Jacksonville Jumped out to an early lead against John Parke (loss, 2-3) in game one. Brian Miller singled to lead off the first inning, and Monte Harrison followed with a two-run homer, his 13th of the season, to take a 2-0 advantage.
Braxton Garrett (win, 5-3) struck out seven in five innings, giving up just one unearned run. The Knights score came in the fourth inning. Mikie Mahtook singled and stole second to begin the inning, before advancing to third on a ground out. With two outs, Mahtook scored on a fielding error that allowed Ti’Quan Forbes to reach first base, making the score, 2-1.
The Jumbo Shrimp bullpen would keep it that way as Preston Guilmet struck out two in a scoreless sixth inning and Andrew Bellatti (save, 9) also fanned a pair, retiring the Knights in order in the seventh.
Game 2:
Brandon Leibrandt gave Jacksonville a stellar start in game two, tossing five scoreless innings, and striking out three.
Neither team scored in regulation thanks to a game-saving catch by Miller in the top of the seventh.
In the eighth, Ruben Tejada broke the ice with a two-run homer to left off of Tommy Eveld (loss, 5-3).
Jacksonville rallied in the bottom of the eighth. Connor Justus began as the inherited runner at second, and after advancing to third on a groundout, he came home to score on a Miller single to center to make it 2-1. Will Carter (save, 1) bounced back to strike out the next two Jumbo Shrimp batters and preserve the one-run win.
The Jumbo Shrimp are back in action Tuesday when the travel to Norfolk to face the Tides at 7:05 p.m. Coverage begins at 6:50 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.
