JACKSONVILLE – Yonny Chirinos fired five strong innings and tallied five strikeouts Thursday as the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp won their third straight game over the Norfolk Tides, 3-1 in front of 5,912 fans at 121 Financial Ballpark.
Jacksonville (11-7) took the early lead in the bottom of the second against Norfolk (7-11) starter Bruce Zimmerman (L, 1-2). With one out, Victor Mesa Jr. singled. A Tristan Gray triple coupled with a throwing error scored both Mesa Jr. and Gray and put the Jumbo Shrimp ahead 2-0.
The Tides answered in the top of the fifth against Chirinos (W, 2-2). With one out, Heston Kjerstad (8) blasted a solo home run to cut the deficit in half.
Jacksonville added their final tally in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs, José Devers reached second on a single and Tides error and then scored on a base knock from Jonah Bride for a two-run advantage.
The Jumbo Shrimp pitching stifled the Tides bats all game. Chirinos tossed five innings, allowing one run while scattering six hits with one walk and five strikeouts. Devin Smeltzer added 2.1 scoreless frames with one hit and three strikeouts. Anthony Maldonado (S, 2) pitched the final 1.2 innings and added three punch outs.
Jacksonville continues their series with Norfolk in Friday’s 7:05 p.m. contest. RHP Roddery Muñoz (0-3, 10.97 ERA) starts for the Jumbo Shrimp against Tides LHP Cade Povich (1-1, 1.10 ERA). Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on Bally Live, MLB.tv, MiLB.tv, ESPN 690 AM and www.ESPN690.com.
Gates open at 6 p.m. for Red Shirt Friday and Friday Night Lites. The Jumbo Shrimp players and staff will be wearing red on Red Shirt Friday to support the military. Fans who wear red can save $1 on their ticket at the box office or can donate that dollar to charity. (File photo by Jim Brady/Florida Sports Wire)
