Sánchez cranks 10th home run for of the season for Jacksonville in rehab start
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. –The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp fell behind 6-1 in the fourth inning, but battled back to take the lead in a five-run sixth Wednesday on their way to a 9-8 victory over the Charlotte Knights at 121 Financial Ballpark.
Jacksonville (49-37) registered their biggest comeback win of the season, and draws even at one game apiece in the series with Charlotte (30-55).
Trailing 7-4 in the sixth inning, the Jumbo Shrimp batted around to take the lead for the first time in the contest. Jesús Sánchez lined an infield single to begin the inning and then Lewin Díaz was hit by a pitch from Nik Turley (loss, 1-4). Nick Fortes then bounced a single through the left side to load the bases with nobody out. Monte Harrison followed with an infield single, which was compounded by an overthrow to score two runs and bring the Jumbo Shrimp within striking distance.
Brian Miller notched an RBI single to score Fortes to tie the score. Later in the inning, Joe Dunand bounced an RBI ground out to put Jacksonville in front for the first time, and Tristan Pompey capped the rally with an RBI single to score Miller.
Charlotte opened the game strong against Daniel Castano, plating three runs five batters in. Yermin Mercedes lined a double to left to score Zach Remillard, who reached on a hit by pitch to lead off the game. Later in the inning, Mikie Mahtook lined a two-run single to put the Knights ahead, 3-0.
The Jumbo Shrimp plated a run in the second when Harrison singled to center, stole second, and came home on a Justin Twine RBI single.
The Knights followed with a two-run third inning. With two outs, Charlotte strung together three consecutive hits on a single from Micker Adolfo, double from Laz Rivera, and single from Matt Reynolds, with the latter scoring Adolfo.
Castano gave up five runs on eight hits across three innings, recording two strikeouts in his second rehab outing.
After the Knights tacked on an unearned run in the fourth, Jacksonville stormed back in the bottom half of the inning. Sánchez tattooed a leadoff homer to right center, his 10th with Jacksonville this season, to open the inning. Díaz then singled to center and made it to second on a bobble, and Fortes singled to put runners at the corners. They each scored, on an RBI groundout from Harrison and a sac fly from Miller, respectively, later in the frame to cut the deficit to 6-4 against Charlotte starter Kade McClure.
In his Triple-A debut, McClure worked five innings, yielding four runs (three earned), on five hits, he walked one and struck out four.
In the fifth, the Knights added a run against Luis Madero (win, 5-2) on a one-out triple from Adolfo, followed by an RBI single from Rivera to make it 7-4.
Tommy Eveld struck out five in two scoreless innings out of the Jacksonville bullpen, and despite surrendering a solo homer to Mahtook in the ninth, Jorge Guzman (save, 4) finished off the 9-8 win for the Jumbo Shrimp.
The series continues Thursday night when Jacksonville sends righty Jordan Holloway (0-4, 4.03) to the mound to face off with Knights right-hander Jonathan Stiever (4-5, 6.13). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. and gates open at 6 p.m. for Budweiser Thirsty Thursday, featuring $2 (12 oz. draft) and $3 (24 oz. draft) Budweiser products on the left field berm canopy, Oasis concession stand, and right field bleachers.
The Jumbo Shrimp also invite fans to participate in community-style Texas Hold’em. Fans entering the ballpark BEFORE FIRST PITCH will get two playing cards. Each inning, community cards will be revealed, (flop, turn, and river) and after the fifth inning, the Jumbo Shrimp will see which fan has the high hand. The club plans to set the world record for largest Texas Hold’em hand.
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.
