JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Brandon Lockridge bookended his day with run-scoring doubles in a five-RBI performance to help the Nashville Sounds defeat the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 8-5 Friday afternoon at VyStar Ballpark
Lockridge’s final blow arrived in the eighth with Nashville (70-59, 27-27) leading Jacksonville (65-63, 23-41) 5-3. Two walks to Tyler Black and Jacob Hurtubise, along with a fielders choice groundball from Daniel Guilarte on which the Jacksonville infield failed to record an out, loaded the base for Lockridge, who clearned the bases with a double down the left field line to open up an 8-4 lead.
Jacksonville’s comeback bid fell short in the ninth when Jared Serna (12) launched his second of two homers to leadoff the frame and set the final margin at 8-5. It was Serna’s second multi-homer game of the season and his first since June 11 vs. Gwinnett. Nashville reliever Blake Holub retired the side in order afterwards to even up the series at two games apiece.
Nashville made landfall first with a two-run top of the second against Jacksonville starter Bradley Blalock (L, 3-10). Hurtubise reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced to second on a Guilarte walk. Lockridge plated them both on a double to the right-center alley to give the Sounds a 2-0 lead.
A trio of hits in the third allowed Nashville to add on. Luke Adams, Blake Burke and Brock Wilken each singled to start the inning, with Wilken’s knock scoring Adams to put the Sounds ahead 3-0.
Jacksonville got on the board in the bottom of the third. Maximo Acosta walked, stole second and advanced to third when Brendan Jones reached on an error. Jonathon Long drove in Acosta with a groundout to third to cut the deficit to 3-1.
The Sounds rallied with two outs in the fourth to get that run back. Lockridge recorded a base hit and scored on a Bo Naylor double to the right field wall to make it 4-1.
The Jumbo Shrimp made it a one-run game in the bottom of the fourth with a two-out rally of their own. Gage Miller walked and scored on a Serna’s two-run homer to left, bringing the margin down to 4-3.
Nashville widened the gap to 5-3 in the top of the fifth with a one-out solo home run from Wilken (15).
The series continues Saturday at 6:35 p.m. with Jacksonville right-hander Karson Milbrandt (0-6, 8.67) scheduled to start opposite Nashville right-hander Tyson Hardin (3-4, 4.88). Coverage begins at 6:20 p.m. on Bally Live, MLB.tv, MiLB.tv, ESPN 690 and espn690.com.
Gates open at 5:00 p.m. and fans can enjoy Saturday Night Fireworks post-game, and to go along with the popular colorful hats and jerseys that accompany Honey Drippers Weekend, the Jumbo Shrimp will offer the first 2,000 fans a Honey Dripper Hawaiian Shirt Giveaway, presented by Turner Pest Control and GATE Petroleum (1 giveaway per person, NOT per ticket. Giveaways only available when entering at the Main Gate on Georgia St.) With the Kendra Scott Ticket Package, fans will get a Kendra Scott Baseball Necklace and two tickets for Saturday night’s game (More Info)
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.