JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Despite erasing an early eight-run deficit in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp came up just short after a hard-fought battle with the Memphis Redbirds on Saturday night at VyStar Ballpark, falling 8-7 in front of 6,097 fans.
Memphis (60-47, 12-18) opened the scoring in the first inning. Joshua Baez and Nolan Gorman both reached on walks. A double-steal coupled with a throwing error plated Baez, putting the Redbirds ahead 1-0.
The Redbirds blew the game open in the top of the second. With one out, Colton Ledbetter singled and went to third on a base hit from Brody Moore. Ledbetter scored on a fielder’s choice increasing the lead to 2-1. Victor Scott II was hit by a pitch and scored on a two-run double from Baez. Gorman (8) followed with a two-run home run, pushing the advantage to 6-1.
Milbrandt bounced back tossing a scoreless third and fourth inning. In the top of the fifth inning, Gorman homered for the second time and César Prieto (12) homered two batters later, putting Memphis ahead 8-0.
The Jumbo Shrimp (53-52, 11-19) started their climb back in the bottom of the sixth. Garrett Forrester doubled with one out and went to third on a Matthew Etzel single. Deyvison De Los Santos doubled home Forrester, cutting the deficit to a seven-run game. Kemp Alderman followed with a sacrifice fly, scoring Etzel making it 8-2.
Jacksonville closed the gap in the home half of the eighth inning. De Los Santos led off with a walk and went to second on a base hit from Alderman. Following an infield fly, Rece Hinds walked to load the bases. Andrew Pintar drew a bases-loaded walk, forcing in a run giving the Jumbo Shrimp a five-run deficit. Johnny Olmstead drove in Alderman and Hinds with a base hit, putting Jacksonville within three, 8-5. Maximo Acosta walked to reload the bases and Garret Forrester drove in Pintar and Olmstead with a two-run single bringing the Jumbo Shrimp within one, 8-7.
The Jumbo Shrimp and the Redbirds wrap up their series with Sunday’s 5:05 p.m. contest. Memphis will hand the ball to Mason Molina (0-1, 9.42 ERA).
Coverage begins at 4:50 p.m. on Bally Live, MLB.tv, MiLB.tv, ESPN 690 and espn690.com.
Gates open at 4:00 p.m. The Jumbo Shrimp and Boeing host Military Appreciation Day, with complimentary tickets (subject to availability) for all active, retired, veteran and former military members and their dependents. Tickets may be picked up in person at the Miller Electric Box Office in advance or the day of the game, subject to availability. It's also Baptist Health Sunday Family FUNday. Fans can visit the Baptist Health Centerfield Plaza for catch on the field during the first 20 minutes after gates open, plus complimentary pre-game face painting and balloon animals. After the final out, kids can round the bases once the field is clear, presented by Goodwill Industries of North Florida. Teachers can also take advantage of the Teacher Appreciation Week special, with free tickets for teachers and discounted tickets for family and friends.
ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins and compete in the International League. The 2025 International League and Triple-A National Champions, the Jumbo Shrimp call VyStar Ballpark home for baseball but also a wide variety of additional community-focused events with a goal of providing Affordable, Family, FUN to Northeast Florida. Winners of many marketing and sales awards and recognition since the team was rebranded prior to the 2017 season, the Jumbo Shrimp continually lead the state of Florida in attendance across all minor league professional sports organizations.