Jacksonville thumps Nashville 12-1

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp clubbed four home runs en route to a 12-1 drubbing of the Nashville Sounds to open their series Tuesday night at 121 Financial Ballpark.

Jacksonville (61-51) started the game with a bang in the bottom of the first. Bryan De La Cruz blasted a double to center and then scored when Brian Miller (6) smacked a two-run home run off Nashville (66-45) starter Adrian Houser (L, 0-1) to put the Jumbo Shrimp ahead 2-0. In the following at-bat, Jerar Encarnacion walked and went to third on a pair of groundouts. In his first Triple-A at-bat, Troy Johnston launched a double that scored Encarnacion to push the Jacksonville lead to 3-0.

Three innings later, the Jumbo Shrimp blew the game open with a five-spot. Payton Henry reached on an error and went to second on a one-out single from Ray-Patrick Didder. With two runners on, De La Cruz swatted a single that scored Henry to push the lead to 4-0. Brian Miller walked to load the bases and Encarnacion reached on a fielder’s choice that scored the fifth run of the game. With runners at the corners, Jesús Sánchez (1) blasted a three-run home run to blow the game open, 8-0.

Nashville plated their first and only run in the top of the fifth. With one out, Garrett Mitchell doubled and scored two batters later on a single from Weston Wilson.

Jacksonville stayed hot with a run in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs, Luis Aviles Jr. (3) walloped a solo home run to push the lead to 9-1.

Two more runs crossed the plate for the Jumbo Shrimp in the bottom of the seventh. *Jordan Groshans *and *Troy Johnston *singled to open the frame. Henry reached on a fielder’s choice while Groshans advanced to third. With runners at the corners, Groshans scored on a wild pitch and Henry advanced to second. With two outs, Didder singled and with runners at the corners, De La Cruz followed with an RBI single to make the score 11-1.

To start the eighth, Nashville put a position player on the mound. Leading off the inning, Encarnacion (14) crushed a solo home run off Sounds reliever *Matt Lipka *to give Jacksonville a 12-1 advantage.

Josh Rogers (W, 1-4) starred for Jacksonville, posting season-highs with seven strong innings and seven strikeouts. He allowed just one run while scattering six hits. Anthony Maldonado tossed one scoreless inning with one hit against two strikeouts. Aneurys Zabala shut the door with one scoreless frame, yielding two hits with one walk against two strikeouts.

Jacksonville continues their series with Nashville on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. against the Nashville Sounds. The Jumbo Shrimp will hand the ball to LHP Matthew Kent (6-8, 5.38) and the Sounds will counter with RHP Josh Lindblom (4-7, 4.95). Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on MiLB.tv, ESPN 690 and ESPN690.com.

Gates open at 6 p.m. on a Good is Everywhere Wednesday presented by VyStar Credit Union and Catholic Charities. VyStar has partnered with Catholic Charities to raise awareness and funds throughout tomorrow’s game. VyStar members can also take advantage of BOGO tickets at the Miller Electric Box Office by using their VyStar credit or debit cards.

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.