JACKSONVILLE (www.sportsdayjax.com) – Xavier Edwards homered on Thursday, but the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp dropped a 5-2 affair to the Gwinnett Stripers in front of 5,597 fans at 121 Financial Ballpark.
FILE PHOTO/Jim Brady, Florida Sports Wire
Gwinnett (43-54, 11-12) put up a pair of runs in the opening frame. Luke Williams led things off with a walk, advancing to third on a Braden Shewmake double. Vaughn Grissom and Jesus Aguilar each hit sacrifice flies off starter Chi Chi Gonzalez (4-8), putting the Stripers up 2-0.
Shewmake (12) homered in the top of the third inning, stretching the Stripers lead to three.
Jacksonville (44-53, 12-12) cut into the deficit in the home half of the third when Edwards (4) ripped a solo shot, making it a 3-1 ballgame.
Grissom was hit by a pitch to lead off the sixth frame. Aguilar doubled, scoring Grissom, and adding to Gwinnett’s lead.
Magneuris Sierra and Williams walked to start the top of the seventh inning. A double steal put runners on second and third. Grissom then hit a sacrifice fly to plate Sierra to spread the margin to 5-1.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, C.J. Hinojosa and Edwards led off with a pair of singles, putting runners on the corners. Jacob Amaya knocked in Hinojosa courtesy of a sacrifice fly, closing the gap to 5-2. However, the Jumbo Shrimp could get no closer.
Seth Elledge (2-1) pitched 1.1 innings, allowing one hit and striking out one to earn the win.
Jacksonville and Gwinnett continue their series at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday. LHP Patrick Monteverde (0-0, 0.00 ERA) gets the nod for the Jumbo Shrimp against RHP Allan Winans (7-3, 2.81 ERA) for the Stripers. Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on Bally Live, MiLB.tv., ESPN 690 and espn690.com.
On a Red Shirt Friday, fans who wear red save $1 on their ticket at the box office or can donate that $1 to charity. Friday Night Lites presented by Miller Lite means fans of age can enjoy $2 12-oz. Miller Lites and $1 off craft beer in the Craft Cave and Brown Canopy in left field. Be sure to stick around after the game for Friday Night Fireworks presented by Arlington Toyota.