Five home runs power Jacksonville to series win over Memphis

Astudillo, Burdick, Leblanc, and Lavarnway each homer

Willians Astudillo clubs two home runs in Jacksonville's 7-2 win over Memphis Sunday night. (Joey Mims/Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp)

By Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

July 3, 2022

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Thanks to five home runs that set a single-game high, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp cruised to a 7-2 victory over the Memphis Redbirds Sunday night at AutoZone Park. Jacksonville (42-36) drew first blood as they lit up the scoreboard first in the top of the third inning.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Thanks to five home runs that set a single-game high, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp cruised to a 7-2 victory over the Memphis Redbirds Sunday night at AutoZone Park.

Jacksonville (42-36) drew first blood as they lit up the scoreboard first in the top of the third inning. With two outs, Willians Astudillo (6) blasted a solo home run off Redbirds starter Tommy Parsons (L, 5-2) to give Jacksonville a 1-0 lead.

The Jumbo Shrimp continued to add runs with a three-spot in the fifth inning. Charles Leblanc (12) and Ryan Lavarnway (7) started the inning with back-to-back home runs to push Jacksonville’s lead to 3-0. Three batters later, Astudillo launched a solo home run, his second of the game, to give the Jumbo Shrimp a 4-0 lead.

Jacksonville wasn’t done as they blew the game open in the top of the ninth. Jerar Encarnacion started the inning with a walk and JJ Bleday followed with a single. Peyton Burdick (9) then hooked a three-run home run around the right field pole to give the Jumbo Shrimp a 7-0 lead.

Memphis (43-35) couldn’t mount any offense until the bottom of the ninth. Robert Garcia (S, 8) walked Scott Hurst to start the inning and Moises Gomez (1) blasted a two-run home run cutting the deficit to 7-2.

Jacksonville got a great effort from their pitching staff. Max Meyer (W, 3-3) took the win after spinning six scoreless innings with five strikeouts and just two hits allowed. Parker Bugg and Jeff Brigham combined for two scoreless innings with three walks and five strikeouts.

Jacksonville returns home Monday, July 4 to open a series with the Norfolk Tides. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. on Monday for an awesome Independence Day celebration at 121 Financial Ballpark. The Jumbo Shrimp will be giving away a 4th of July hat, presented by Nimnicht Family of Dealerships to the first 2,000 fans through the gates. The Jumbo Shrimp will be wearing their Patriotic Jerseys which are currently up for auction. The night will wrap up with an amazing Independence Day fireworks show!

Jacksonville will turn to RHP Elieser Hernandez (3-1, 3.43) and Norfolk will counter with RHP Cody Sedlock (3-1, 6.50). Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. ET on ESPN 690, espn690.com and MiLB.tv.

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 marked 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.