Shrimp Bites: Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp vs. Durham Bulls, May 17-22
The Jumbo Shrimp will play at home for six games against the Durham Bulls from Tuesday, May 17 through Sunday, May 22. Here's what to know about the series:
Who: Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp vs. Durham Bulls.
When: Tuesday through Sunday:
T: 11:05 a.m.
W: 7:05 p.m.
TH: 7:05 p.m.
F: 7:05 p.m.
SA: 6:35 p.m.
SU: 3:05 p.m.
Where: 121 Financial Ballpark.
Series recap: The Jumbo Shrimp dropped four of six during last week's home series against the International League West-leading Nashville Sounds, a rough one for the pitching staff. Jacksonville gave up a total of 40 runs in the six games, dropping four games behind IL East leader Rochester.
Highlight: Charles Leblanc's three-run home run in the sixth inning helped the Jumbo Shrimp pull away from the Sounds in Friday's 7-3 victory. The 25-year-old, who played second base in the game, is batting .352 with seven home runs and 27 RBI.
Crustacean sensation: Catcher Nick Fortes got extended playing time this week and made the most of it, batting .278 and hitting his first home run of the year. The 25-year-old from DeLand, who played college baseball at Ole Miss, is rated as a top-30 prospect in the Miami Marlins organization for his instincts and defense.
On deck: The first-place finisher in Triple-A East play last year, Durham has found the going far rougher in 2022. Durham, affiliated with the Tampa Bay Rays, stands fifth in the International League East, but at 16-20, they're eight games behind leader Rochester and four games behind the Jumbo Shrimp. Pitching (a 4.89 ERA) is the chief culprit. But the Bulls are on a mini-roll, winning their last four, and their roster includes the Rays' No. 2 prospect, outfielder Josh Lowe. Selected in the first round in 2016, Lowe is batting .275 with four homers, 17 RBI and a 1.023 OPS.
Ballpark fun: The week begins Tuesday with Education Day, a morning start for school kids with an offbeat twist: "Psilent Knight," highlighting silent letters in English. Also on the menu are Bonsai Night on Thursday, in which six fans will get a chance to sculpt their own bonsai tree during the game; Boy Scout Night on Saturday; and Patriotic Jerseys Day for Sunday's series finale.
Probable pitchers Tuesday: Jacksonville's Daniel Castano (1-0, 6.55) vs. Durham's Tommy Romero (0-2, 4.12).
Clayton Freeman covers high school sports and more for the Florida Times-Union. Follow him on Twitter at @CFreemanJAX.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp-Durham Bulls, minor league baseball, May 17
