Lockridge’s Five-RBI Day Lifts Sounds over Jumbo Shrimp
JACKSONVILLE (www.jaxsportsnews.com) – Brandon Lockridge bookended his day with run-scoring doubles in a five-RBI performance to help the Nashville Sounds defeat the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 8-4 Friday afternoon at VyStar Ballpark
Lockridge’s final blow arrived in the eighth with Nashville (70-59, 27-27) leading Jacksonville (65-63, 23-41) 5-3. Two walks to Tyler Black and Jacob Hurtubise, along with a fielder’s choice groundball from Daniel Guilarte on which the Jacksonville infield failed to record an out, loaded the base for Lockridge, who cleared the bases with a double down the left field line to set the final margin at 8-4.
Nashville made landfall first with a two-run top of the second. Hurtubise reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced to second on a Guilarte walk. Lockridge plated them both on a double to the right-center alley to give the Sounds a 2-0 lead.
A trio of hits in the third allowed Nashville to add on. Luke Adams, Blake Burke and Brock Wilken each singled to start the inning, with Wilken’s knock scoring Adams to put the Sounds ahead 3-0.
Jacksonville got on the board in the bottom of the third. Maximo Acosta walked, stole second and advanced to third when Brendan Jones reached on an error. Jonathon Long drove in Acosta with a groundout to third to cut the deficit to 3-1.
The Sounds rallied with two outs in the fourth to get that run back. Lockridge recorded a base hit and scored on a Bo Naylor double to the right field wall to make it 4-1.
The Jumbo Shrimp made it a one-run game in the bottom of the fourth with a two-out rally of their own. Gage Miller walked and scored on a Jared Serna (11) two-run homer to left, bringing the margin down to 4-3.
Nashville widened the gap to 5-3 in the top of the fifth with a one-out solo home run from Wilken (15).
Jacksonville scratched a run off the deficit in the bottom of the seventh. Garret Forrester led off with a walk and went to second on a base hit from Acosta. A single from Brendan Jones, coupled with a sac fly from Long pulled the Jumbo Shrimp to within one, 5-4.
Nashville put the nail in the coffin in the top of the eighth Black started the frame with a walk. Following a pop out, Jacob Hurtubise and Guilarte worked consecutive walks, loading the bases. Lockridge cleared the bases with a three-run double, doubling up the advantage to 8-4.
The Jumbo Shrimp’s comeback fell short in the bottom of the ninth. Serna (12) walloped a solo home run but that is where the scoring ceased.
The series continues Saturday at 6:35 p.m. with Jacksonville right-hander Karson Milbrandt (0-6, 8.67) scheduled to start opposite Nashville right-hander Tyson Hardin (3-4, 4.88).
