Jumbo Hooks: Father’s Day Cookout this Sunday

The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (27-38) return to the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville following a fifth time of dropping a road rubber series game, at Biloxi’s MGM Park on Tuesday.  The Bold City squad was able to earn wins in games two and three, 5-2 and 13-1 respectively over the Biloxi Shuckers (34-31) before a run drought from late in game three into the fifth one that spanned 21.2 innings.  A go-ahead grand slam in the sixth inning Tuesday night sent Jacksonville packing with a 5-2 loss.

One of the biggest takeaways from the Biloxi series was Jacksonville recording its most lopsided win this season, 13-1 on Sunday.  The Jumbo Shrimp drew a season-high 11 walks and received another strong start from Matt Tomshaw (6-3).  Jax had a six-run third inning where Biloxi walked four straight Shrimp with the bases loaded.  Four runs in the fourth would be more than enough to help Tomshaw earn the win as he threw seven innings AND did not allow a hit from the second through sixth innings.  Austin Nola and Chris Diaz each had four runs batted in, which tied a season-high for a Jumbo Shrimp hitter this season.

Jax hosts the Southern League South Division leading Pensacola Blue Wahoos (38-27) – this year’s host for the Southern League All-Star Game next week – for a five-game set.  Jacksonville looks for revenge as the Blue Wahoos won the first two series (one was a sweep), but it’s the first time they play in Duval County.  Catch the Jumbo Shrimp at the Baseball Grounds from Wednesday to Sunday this week.  Happy Father’s Day!!

1. The Jumbo Shrimp will be hosting an all-you-can-eat picnic and pregame catch on the field for this Sunday’s 3:05 p.m. game.  The Father’s Day Cookout package can be purchased here – http://bit.ly/2sHEpQE – and use the password shrimpdeck.  The Cookout packages include reserved seats and the buffet of hamburgers, hot dogs, cole slaw, baked beans, cookies, tea and lemonade.  Fathers who take part in the cookout package will receive a free Jumbo Shrimp cap.  The buffet runs from 2 to 3:30 p.m. along the third-base line Shrimp Deck.  Following the game, kids 12 and under can run the bases.
2. The Shuckers best player and ace pitcher Aaron Wilkerson continues to play his best ball over the last month.  On Friday night, the 28-year-old worked his longest outing of 2017 – 7.2 innings – while allowing three hits and two runs.  Additionally, he matched his career-high with 11 strikeouts.  Wilkerson has five consecutive starts of at least 6.2 IPs, but does give up the occasional homer.  However, opposing teams are hitting a weak .230 against him.  Wilkerson is one of three Biloxi pitchers named to the Southern League All-Star team.  In the 6-2 first game victory, the Shuckers recorded its first-ever inside-the-park home run.  Blake Allemand led off the 2nd inning with that impressive feat.
3. It seems like a routine where the Jumbo Shrimp make national news at least once a month.  This time it comes from the promotional side of the club.  The New York Daily News and other well-known outlets covered how Thursday night Jacksonville will host You Might Be The Father’s Day.  Adults may pick up a free pregnancy test at a concourse table.  From the press release, “it will be an evening of suspense, intrigue and manila envelopes.”  For all the week’s promotions, check out the team site.  This week will be a good opportunity to see another Marlins big-leaguer in action once or twice with his rehab assignment.  Right-handed reliever Junichi Tazawa, who has made 16 appearances for Miami, is recovering from rib cartilage inflammation.  The eighth-year pro won a World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2010.  He last pitched at the Double-A level in 2011 for Portland in the Eastern League.
4. Jacksonville right-handed starter Joe Gunkel recorded his first Southern League victory with the Jumbo Shrimp’s first W over Biloxi in seven tries, 5-2.  Gunkel (1-2) worked a season-high seven innings while allowing five hits, one run, one walk and striking out three opposing batters.  Jax’s Austin Nola notched three hits to guide the Shrimp to the Saturday win.  With good run support, Gunkel retired the last nine Shuckers he faced.  It took little time for the Marlins organization to recognize Gunkel’s best outing for Jacksonville.  The next afternoon, Gunkel was sent up to Triple-A New Orleans.  His work with the Jumbo Shrimp has included seven starts and a 4.72 ERA over 34.1 innings pitched.  A corresponding move brought left-handed reliever Greg Nappo to Jacksonville after seven games for the Baby Cakes.  It is Nappo’s third time back to the First Coast, where he has pitched in nine games with a 1.50 ERA in 12 innings.  The New Orleans stint was short-lived for Gunkel because he rejoined the Jumbo Shrimp on Wednesday.
5. The Pensacola Blue Wahoos will be at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville for the last series before the Southern League All-Star Game.  The Jumbo Shrimp series will be almost like a mini-All-Star battle.  The Blue Wahoos have four pitchers – Derek McGuire, Tyler Mahle, Ariel Hernandez and Jimmy Herget – on the South Division roster.  A total of 10 SL all-stars will see action at the Baseball Grounds.  Blue Wahoos second baseman Josh VanMeter and right fielder Gabriel Guerrero round out the six Pensacola players for the June 20 ASG.  The Jumbo Shrimp dropped the last series against Pensacola – beginning the week of May 30 – three games to two.

Three Things: 4/21-4/23

A weekly tradition around these parts continues, with Scott Manze and Richard Miller providing their best of the best around Jacksonville for the weekend. Because you are always looking for something to do and you are always looking for suggestions for said thing to do.

Scott:

1. Jacksonville University lacrosse vs. High Point, Saturday at noon, D.B. Milne Field.  There is lots of fanfare surrounding the coaching hires last off-season for the only Division I lacrosse program in the state, and after stringing together two straight road wins, Senior Day with a postseason berth hanging in the balance will be a big deal.
2. Bond and Beyond with the Jacksonville Symphony!  It’s Friday and Saturday nights at the Jacoby Symphony Hall.  A wonderful chance to hear the legendary themes played live.  Catch one (or both is fine) of the showings at 8 p.m.
3. That time of year where it’s NBA and NHL playoffs all weekend.  If you can find an excuse to be on the couch for the weekend, you’re all set with your sports fixings.

1. North Florida (7-2 in the ASUN Conference) will host FGCU baseball (4-5) this weekend at Harmon Stadium.  The Battle of the Birds for any sport is a top-notch conference rivalry.  First pitches for the Ospreys and Eagles: Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday at 1.  All three games can be heard on 1010XL and on ASUN TV.
2. Guns N’ Hoses is an annual Jacksonville tradition.  The police versus the firefighters in the ring on Saturday night.  Bell rings at 6:30 p.m.  But a street party will get going April 22 at 3 o’clock in front of the Veterans Memorial Arena.  Hear our Manze & Miller interview with some GNH folks.
3. Go outside!  Make it a beach day.  Knock out some yard work in the early morning.  Soak in some UV rays and recharge.

 

 

MC Wale’s Musings of the Week: Post D.C. Edition

Just jumping into the different muses I’ve had lately….

The Jaguars are bad and this season as a whole is a massive disappointment. While I’m upset with the team’s performance, I feel that there are certain lines that fans should never cross. I’ve seen and heard more backlashes about the ownership and some even going as far as trashing the Khan family as a whole. My philosophy has always been that fans can and should be critical of front office/ownership performance, but the second you go in on someone’s family, you’ve crossed a line.

I don’t know why people are so shocked that Penn State was effectively blocked out of the College Football Playoff. This playoff is a sham and just a way to make people want to push for 8 team playoff, which it should have been from the start. Honestly, the real playoff system should be the conference champions from the Power 5 and three at-large bids. I’d even accept the top two teams in every conference move to the playoff bracket. No more complaints and more football. Classes be damned.

Back to the Jaguars, I feel awful about Allen Robinson not getting the critical pass interference calls, especially after the game against the Denver Broncos. There were easily two or three no-calls that should have been and Robinson collected a 15-yard personal foul yelling at a referee after getting mugged on a fourth-down play late in the game. But, Robinson also needs to give more consistent effort on the field too, because when a football hits you in the chest, don’t bobble it and have it get stolen from you.

I took a day trip to the Nation’s capital, Washington D.C. this past weekend. I must say that it’s a great city to visit and explore. The history of the country surrounds you, Ubers and taxis are plentiful and there are some fantastic restaurants and nightlife options. As a proponent of travelling, even if it’s for a short time, it’s something folks need to do consistently. Make that happen.