The Jumbo Shrimp surprise the Stripers: Jacksonville takes the series opener over Gwinnett 4-3

Pregame: Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (50-43, 1 GB in the International League East/AAA) vs Gwinnett Stripers (46-47, 9.5 GB in the International League West/AAA)

July 26th (2022) is not only Tuesday, but game day, as the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (AAA affiliate of the Miami Marlins) take on the Gwinnett Stripers (AAA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves) in yet another pivotal 6-game series at CoolRay Field.

The Jumbo Shrimp enter tonight's game a mere 1 game out of first place and have won a respectable 6 of their last 10 games. On offense, the team is without Lewin Diaz and his team leading 19 home runs and 64 runs batted in as he is called up to the Marlins prior to tonight's 7:05pm first pitch. Peyton Burdick (.236 BA with 12 HR and 44 RBI's along with 8 stolen bases), Charles Leblanc (.299 BA with 14 HR and 45 RBI's), Lorenzo Quintana (.266 BA with 13 HR's and 51 RBI's), and 40-man roster member Jerar Encarnacion (.255 BA with 9 HR and 22 RBI's) are expected to lead the team's offense. Matthew Kent (4-7 with a 5.55 ERA) draws the start against Gwinnett.

The Stripers come in tonight's game with a 5-5 record in their last 10 games; they look to get off to a good start on the current homestand as Tucker Davidson (3-6 with a 4.35 ERA) takes the mound against Jacksonville. Leadoff batter Delino DeShields, Jr. (.245 BA with 20 SB's), Preston Tucker (.256 BA with 7 HR and 40 RBI's), Pat Valaika (.261 BA with 8 HR and 37 RBI's), Braden Shewmake (.261 BA with 6 HR and 23 RBI's), and Chadwick Tromp (.277 BA with 10 HR and 36 RBI's) look to get the offense off to a solid start.

Pitcher Freddy Tarnok (Gwinnett Stripers) joins us pregame to provide insight on his season (1-0 with a 3.38 ERA in 2 games [both starts]). In addition to his individual preparation, he shares how he keeps all in perspective given potential roster movement and the upcoming trade deadline in early August as Major League teams are potentially making moves to remain in the hunt for the post-season (you may watch the full interview here):

Game recap: Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (51-43) defeat the Gwinnett Stripers (46-48) 4 to 3

The Jumbo Shrimp jump out to an early lead in the top of the 1st inning. Jerar Encarnacion's 2-run home run (10th of the season) gives Jacksonville a 2-0 advantage off Gwinnett starter Tucker Davidson. In the top of the 3rd, he would add a RBI double to add to the lead (making it 3-0).

Gwinnett would start chipping away at the Jacksonville lead in the bottom of the 4th inning. Braden Shewmake's triple would provide the Stripers a scoring opportunity, and thanks to a RBI singly by Chadwick Tromp, the Jumbo Shrimp lead would get cut to 3-1.

Both teams' pitching staffs would contain each other through the 8th inning.

In the top of the 9th inning, Jacksonville adds to their lead. After pinch hitter Brian Miller hustles for a double (and moves to 3rd base on a wild pitch), Erik Gonzalez' RBI groundout off Jacob Webb gives the Jumbo Shrimp a 4-1 lead.

The Stripers would rally in the bottom of the 9th inning. After a 1-out double by Alex Dickerson, Ryan Casteel's 380-foot drive over the left field fence (for his 9th home run of the year) makes it a 4-3 game. Joe Dunand would follow with a double to have the tying run in scoring position with only one out.

After Ryan Goins strikes out, Delino DeShields, Jr. would fly out to deep left field to end the rally and have Jacksonville escape with a win to open the series.

Jacksonville's Matthew Kent's off-speed pitching keeps Gwinnett at bay (he goes 6 innings, allowing 1 run [earned] on 6 hits with 6 strikeouts and a walk) in getting the win (his 5th of the season). Jerar Encarnacion (2 for 3 with 1 HR and 3 RBI's) leads the team's offense (4 runs with 10 hits). Despite allowing 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th, Andrew Nardi gets his 4th save of the year.

Gwinnett's Tucker Davidson drops to 3-7 as he goes 5 innings and scatters 9 hits on 3 runs (earned) along with 3 strikeouts and a walk. Ryan Casteel (2 for 4 with 1 HR and 2 RBI's) and Joe Dunand (2 for 4) pace the Stripers' offense (click HERE for the full boxscore).

The second game of the 6-game series resumes on July 27th at CoolRay Field (7:05pm EST first pitch). The series continues through this Sunday, July 31st.

Notes: All video and photos recorded by Andrew Snorton

Video: The first video is the full interview with Freddy Tarnok. The other videos are in-game snapshots/first half of the game action.

Photo grid: The top row (left to right) features both managers turning in their lineup cards, as well as the Stripers and Jumbo Shrimp doing their warmups. The first row from the top (left to right) includes the Jefferson (GA) All-Stars, a photo with Gwinnett's Freddy Tarnok (who is on the Braves' 40-man roster), and a view of the field. The middle row (left to right) provides a closeup of the Stripers' dugout with catcher Chadwick Tromp, Stripers' starting pitcher Tucker Davidson, and Jumbo Shrimp outfielder Jerar Encarnacion (he goes 2 for 3 with 1 HR and 3 RBI). The row above the bottom row (left to right) features Jacksonville's Peyton Burdick and starter Matthew Kent along with Gwinnett's Pat Valaika. The bottom row (left to right) includes the Stripers' Braden Shewmake (he goes 1 for 4 with a triple and run scored), Joe Dunand (Gwinett) reaching base (he goes 2 for 4 with a RBI), and Chadwick Tromp.