Jacksonville sneaks away with 4-3 win over Gwinnett

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Jerar Encarnacion homered while Matthew Kent tied a season-high with six strikeouts as the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp took the first game against the Gwinnett Stripers 4-3 Tuesday night from Coolray Field.

The Jumbo Shrimp (51-43) got on the board first in the top of the first against Gwinnett starter Tucker Davidson (L, 3-7). With two outs, *Charles Leblanc *doubled and scored on a two-run home run from Encarnacion (10).

Jacksonville didn’t wait long to add to their lead, plating a run in the top of the third. Peyton Burdick led off with a triple and two batters later Encarnacion continued to provide the offense as he doubled, scoring Burdick to increase the Jumbo Shrimp lead to 3-0.

Gwinnett (46-48) plated their first run in the bottom of the fourth inning against Jacksonville starter Matthew Kent (W, 5-7) With one out, Braden Shewmake tripled and scored on a single from Chadwick Tromp to cut the deficit to 4-1.

Both offenses were held scoreless until the ninth frame. With one out, Brian Miller entered as a pinch hitter and doubled. During the at-bat of Erik González, Miller advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a groundout, pushing the lead to 4-1.

The Stripers made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Alex Dickerson doubled and Ryan Casteel (9) followed with a two-run home run making it a one-run game, 4-3. Joe Dunand doubled for the third consecutive hit of the inning but Jumbo Shrimp reliever Andrew Nardi (S, 4) struck out Ryan Goins and got Delino DeShields Jr. to fly out to end the game.

Kent’s performance was huge for Jacksonville, pitching six strong innings and tying a season-high with six strikeouts en route to his fifth win of the season. Tommy Eveld followed with 1.2 shut down innings and two strikeouts out of the bullpen.

Jacksonville continues their series with the Gwinnett Stripers that starts on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. The Jumbo Shrimp will hand the ball to LHP Jesús Luzardo (0-0, 0.00) who will be making his second rehab start while RHP Nolan Kingham (3-2, 3.74) will toe the rubber for Gwinnett. Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on ESPN 690 and ESPN690.com.

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.