Vines Solid in Return as Stripers Beat Jacksonville 5-2

Braves’ No. 7 prospect Darius Vines pitches 4.2 one-run innings in Gwinnett victory

Activated off Gwinnett's injured list earlier in the day, Darius Vines scattered five hits over 4.2 one-run innings on Thursday night. (Paul Daniel)

July 27, 2023

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Making his first Triple-A start since September 24, 2022, Atlanta Braves’ No. 7 prospect Darius Vines pitched 4.2 one-run innings as the Gwinnett Stripers (44-54) defeated the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (44-54) 5-2 on Thursday night at 121 Financial Ballpark. Decisive Plays: The Stripers scored twice before Vines

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Making his first Triple-A start since September 24, 2022, Atlanta Braves’ No. 7 prospect Darius Vines pitched 4.2 one-run innings as the Gwinnett Stripers (44-54) defeated the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (44-54) 5-2 on Thursday night at 121 Financial Ballpark.

Decisive Plays: The Stripers scored twice before Vines even hit the mound as Luke Williams walked, Braden Shewmake doubled, and Vaughn Grissom and Jesus Aguilar followed with consecutive sacrifice flies. Shewmake extended the lead to 3-0 in the third with a solo home run (12) to right field. Aguilar stroked an RBI double in the sixth and Grissom added another sacrifice fly in the sixth for a 5-2 lead. The Gwinnett bullpen finished things off, as Seth Elledge (W, 2-1), Dereck Rodriguez, Mike Morin (H, 1), and Grant Holmes (S, 7) combined to allow one run over 4.1 innings.

Key Contributors: Shewmake went 2-for-4 with a double, homer, and one RBI, while Grissom (1-for-1) and Aguilar (1-for-3, double) each had two RBIs. For the Jumbo Shrimp, Xavier Edwards went 3-for-4 with a solo homer (4) off Vines and one RBI.

Noteworthy: Grissom’s third-inning single extended his team-best on-base streak to 22 games. Shewmake’s two-hit effort snapped an 0-for-20 drought over his previous six games. Stripers coach Wigberto Nevarez served as acting manager in place of Matt Tuiasosopo (joining Braves’ MLB staff this weekend) and won in his managerial debut.

Next Game (Friday, July 28): Gwinnett at Jacksonville,7:05 p.m. ET at 121 Financial Ballpark. Broadcast: 6:50 p.m. ET on MyCountry993.com and Bally Live.

Next Home Game (Tuesday, August 1): Gwinnett vs. Indianapolis, 7:05 p.m. ET at Coolray Field. Broadcast: 6:50 p.m. ET on MyCountry993.com and Bally Live. It’s Family Value Tuesday at Coolray Field, with $2 Hot Dogs and $1 Desserts.