Game 124: Jumbo Shrimp vs Redbirds

Friday, September 24, 2021–7:05 p.m. ET

Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (72–51, 3–0) vs. Memphis Redbirds (57–65, 0–3)

121 Financial Ballpark — Jacksonville, Fla.

LAST TIME OUT:

Jacksonville lost a 2–0 lead in the eighth inning on a grand slam from Justin Williams, but trailing by four in the ninth, the Jumbo Shrimp scored five runs, capped by an Isan Díaz RBI double to lift Jacksonville to a 7–6 victory. The Jumbo Shrimp have now won 11 walk-off contests this season. Peyton Burdick doubled home a run in the ninth and finished with a two-hit game, as did Brian Miller. Pablo López made a rehab start for Jacksonville, opening the contest with two scoreless innings and yielding one hit while striking out a pair. Shawn Morimando followed with a dominant relief effort, delivering five scoreless innings while facing just two over the minimum. Morimando struck out three and did not allow a Redbird past first base.

Isan Diaz cracked a walk-off double to cap a five-run ninth inning in Jacksonville’s 7–6 win over Memphis. (Joey Mims/Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp)

GAME INFO:

The Jumbo Shrimp take on the Memphis Redbirds in game four of a five-game series to close out the home schedule in 2021. The Jumbo Shrimp have won 14 of their last 19 games, and each of their last three series, following a win last night. Jacksonville is also riding a five-game winning streak.

MEET THE REDBIRDS:

Memphis is the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. The Redbirds finished the regular season with a 57–63 record, good for fifth place in the Southeast Division.

The Redbirds are managed by Ben Johnson, who returns for his second season in Memphis. Johnson is actually a native of Memphis and was drafted by the Cardinals in 1999, and additionally is now managing for the first time in affiliated ball. He previously was an assistant coach for the Durham Bulls and was the manager of the Arizona/Goodyear Centennials of the Freedom Pro Baseball League.

Memphis is home to five of the top 10 prospects in St. Louis’s farm system, and 10 of their top 30. Infielder Nolan Gorman is the Cardinals’ top-rated prospect, while left-handed pitcher Matthew Liberatore is second. Both are just 21 years old. Offensively the Redbirds have been led by Juan Yepez, who leads Triple-A East in OPS (.948) and slugging (.577). He also ranks among league leaders in home runs, batting average, and on-base percentage.

PITCHING MATCHUP:

RHP Max Meyer (0–0, 0.00 ERA)

A first-round selection by the Marlins in 2020, Meyer will make his Triple-A debut tonight for the Jumbo Shrimp. He was drafted third overall by the Marlins in 2020 out of the University of Minnesota, where he went 3–1 with a 1.95 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 46 strikeouts in 27.2 innings pitched during his junior year before the season was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic. Meyer was a two-way player for the Gophers. He was previously drafted out of high school by the Minnesota Twins but did not sign. Meyer this season represented the Marlins and the U.S. in the Futures Game at Coors Field. The righty features a fastball, slider, and changeup.

RHP T.J. Zeuch (2-0, 5.85 ERA)

T.J. Zeuch will make his fifth start (ninth appearance) for the Redbirds, after being acquired by the Cardinals for cash considerations from the Toronto Blue Jays on July 25. With the Blue Jays, Zeuch pitched in five games for Toronto, posting a 6.60 ERA in addition to 12 outings with Triple-A Buffalo. He was originally selected by the Blue Jays in the first round of 2016 out of the University of Pittsburgh. On August 19, 2019, Zeuch tossed a no-hitter for Buffalo against Rochester. Two weeks later, he made his MLB debut against the Atlanta Braves. His father, Tim, pitched in the Majors for the Kansas City Royals in 1980. He features a sinker, slider, cutter, and changeup.

LINEUP

1. Brian Miller, RF
2. Peyton Burdick, CF
3. Dustin Fowler, LF
4. Lorenzo Quintana, 1B
5. Isan Diaz, 3B
6. Bryson Brigman, 2B
7. Connor Justus, SS
8. Brian Navarreto, C
9. Max Meyer, P

NEWS FROM THE TROUPE:

• In his rehab start for Jacksonville yesterday, Pablo López tossed two innings, giving up just one hit and striking out two. He threw 19 of his 31 pitches for strikes.

TRIPLE-A SOUTHEAST DIVISION STANDINGS

FISH FAMILY

Here is a look at the Marlins organizational scoreboard.

MLB: Miami Marlins (64–88) vs Tampa Bay Rays (94–59) @ 7:10 p.m. ET

BROADCAST INFORMATION:

Today’s game will be broadcast on the following platforms:

Radio: ESPN 690 AM

Online Stream: MiLB.TV, Facebook.com/ESPN690Jax

Phone/Tablet: ESPN690.com, JaxShrimp.com, MiLB First Pitch App