Karson Milbrandt struck out seven batters over four innings, but the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp fell 8-5 to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on Friday night at PNC Field in Moosic, Pennsylvania. Jacksonville built a 5-0 lead through three innings before the RailRiders scored eight unanswered runs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre entered the game with a 77-68 overall record and a 40-31 mark in International League play, while Jacksonville entered at 73-73 overall and 31-41 in league competition.
Jacksonville Builds an Early Lead
Jacksonville opened the scoring in the top of the first inning when Juan Matheus singled and advanced to third on an errant pickoff attempt. Johnny Long followed with an RBI single to bring Matheus home and give the Jumbo Shrimp a 1-0 lead. Jacksonville added four runs in the third inning to extend the advantage to 5-0.
Brendan Jones walked and stole second before Matthew Etzel drew a walk. A double steal put runners on second and third, and Matheus then walked to load the bases. Long scored Jones with a sacrifice fly, and Brayden Taylor followed two batters later with a two-run double.
RailRiders Complete the Comeback
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre began its comeback in the fourth inning. Marco Luciano walked before Yanquiel Fernandez hit a two-run home run, cutting Jacksonville’s lead to 5-2. Duke Ellis then singled and stole second, and Kenedy Corona reached on a dropped third strike and wild pitch before Connor McGinnis drove in Ellis with an RBI double.
The RailRiders scored five runs in the fifth inning to take a 7-5 lead. JC Escarra singled and scored on Luciano’s double, Fernandez walked, and Tyler Hardman followed with a three-run home run. Ellis then singled, advanced to second on Corona’s single and was thrown out at the plate on a wild pitch, while Corona moved to third.
A second wild pitch scored Corona and gave Scranton/Wilkes-Barre an 8-5 lead. Jacksonville could not close the gap after the RailRiders took control in the middle innings. Milbrandt’s seven strikeouts were not enough to prevent the Jumbo Shrimp from dropping the game.
Saturday’s Scheduled Starters
Jacksonville and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre are scheduled to continue their series Saturday at 6:05 p.m. Patrick Monteverde is scheduled to start for the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp with a 5-2 record and a 5.82 ERA. Alexander Cornielle is scheduled to start for the RailRiders with a 5-4 record and a 2.74 ERA.
Coverage is scheduled to begin at 5:50 p.m. on ESPN 690 and ESPN690.com. The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins and compete in the International League. The Jumbo Shrimp were identified as the 2025 International League and Triple-A National Champions.
FSB Take
Jacksonville’s five-run lead disappeared after Scranton/Wilkes-Barre produced five runs in the fifth inning and added another run on a wild pitch. The Jumbo Shrimp will continue the series Saturday with Monteverde scheduled to start against Cornielle.
Source: Original report