Recap: Late Encarnacion Single Lifts Jacksonville over Memphis, 2-1

Photo by Nancy Beecher/SportsDay

JACKSONVILLE – Six strong innings from Matthew Kent and an eighth-inning RBI single from Jerar Encarnacion gave Jacksonville a 2-1 win over the Memphis Redbirds Friday night in front of 5,916 fans at 121 Financial Ballpark for their fourth win in a row.

After five scoreless frames, Jacksonville (58-45) managed to push the go-ahead run across in the eighth inning against Memphis (54-48) reliever Zach McAllister (L, 4-2). 

Brian Miller led off with a single and stole second (18). Jordan Groshans walked, and during Encarnacion’s at-bat Miller stole third. With runners at the corners, Encarnacion clubbed a single to score Miller and put the Jumbo Shrimp ahead 2-1.

Memphis initially drew first blood in the top of the second. Luken Baker (19) blasted a solo home run to put the Redbirds on top 1-0.

Jacksonville took no time in responding half an inning later. Willians Astudillo (9) walloped a solo home run off Memphis righty Jake Woodford, tying the game at one.

Runs were incredibly hard to come by on both sides, but the Jumbo Shrimp pitching staff put them in a great position to win. Kent had a phenomenal outing, allowing just one run on four hits with three walks against four strikeouts in six innings of work. 

Anthony Maldonado (W, 1-0) spun two scoreless frames striking out three while yielding just one hit. Andrew Nardi (S, 7) locked the game down in the ninth inning with just one hit allowed and one walk to give Jacksonville its third straight series win. 

The victory was the Jumbo Shrimp’s ninth in the last 11 games.

Jacksonville and Memphis continue their series Saturday night with first pitch set for 6:35 p.m. RHP Nick Neidert (3-0, 2.25 ERA) starts for the Jumbo Shrimp and the Redbirds will hand the ball to LHP Garrett Williams (0-2, 5.29 ERA). 

Coverage begins at 6:20 p.m. on MiLB.tv, ESPN 690 and ESPN690.com.