By Mike Bonts
JACKSONVILLE – (www.jaxsportsday.com) – Rochester pitching combined for 13 strikeouts as the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (0-2) succumbed to the Red Wings (2-0) 6-3 on a blustery Saturday night at VyStar Ballpark.
Trailing by five in the ninth, the Jumbo Shrimp showed some offense scoring two runs.
Kemp Alderman and Nathan Martorella drew walks to begin the inning. Jesús Bastidas doubled on a line drive scoring Alderman and sending Martorella to third.
With one out Matthew Etzel grounds out scoring Martorella. But Brian Navarreto lined out to third baseman Yohandy Morales to end any rally.
Rochester loaded the bases in the ninth. Morales’ base on balls call with two outs scored Harry Ford from third to cap the scoring.
The visitors added to a three-run lead in the seventh.
Rochester’s leadoff man Christian Franklin reached on a throwing error by third baseman Jacob Berry. Dylan Crews singled on a line drive to right scoring Franklin who had stolen second and went to third on a base hit.
The Jumbo Shrimp committed three errors in the game.
The Red Wings loaded the bases with two outs. But Morales was called out on strikes to end what could have been a big inning.
Jacksonville scored first in the fourth. After Ethan O’Donnell grounded out, Alderman walked. Martorella then doubled on a sharp line drive to center field scoring Alderman.
Rochester scored three runs with two outs in the fifth after Dax Fulton replaced starter Bradley Blalock.
Phillip Glasser singled on an infield ground ball. Zack Short doubled. Glasser crossed the plate.
Fulton intentionally walked Crews. Crews moved to second on a steal Abimelec Ortiz’s second double of the season brings Short and Crews Home as the Red Wings take the lead 3-1. Fulton took the loss.
Zach McCambley gave up a base to hit Robert Hassell III, scoring Ortiz, after coming in to relieve Fulton.
The two clubs meet again on Sunday afternoon.
(Game photo by Nancy deLander Beecher)
