Earning Their Stripes: 5/8/21

The Miami Marlins’ minor league system has six affiliates including the two rookie levels. The top four have been in action for one week now.

Triple-A

Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 4, Norfolk Tides 5 (10 innings)

After starting the year with three straight wins, the newly-minted triple-A Jumbo Shrimp (a double-A team until this year) have now dropped two-in-a-row.

With 3,616 in attendance at 121 Financial Ballpark, the Shrimp and the Tides fought to a tie at four after nine innings. Norfolk brought their runner home from second in the 10th inning, resulting in a loss for Brett Eibner despite the run being unearned. The Shrimp couldn’t capitalize in the bottom of the frame.

The Shrimp got on the board first when Lewin Diaz connected for the third time this season with a two-run shot. Norfolk touched Jacksonville starter Josh A. Smith for a two-run-shot of their own in the next half inning to tie the score. In the seventh, Bryson Brigman reestablished the Shrimp lead with a two-run single to left field.

Aside from Díaz’ blast, a highlight for Jacksonville was Parker Bugg’s three perfect innings of relief. The 26-year-old Louisville native struck out five Tides while putting 74 percent (23-of-31) of his pitches over the plate. The Crustaceans look to claim the six-game series Sunday starting at 3:05 PM behind former first-round selection Braxton Garrett (0-0, 4.91).

Double-A

Pensacola Blue Wahoos 2, Mississippi Braves 5

The Blue Wahoos finally dropped one after winning the first four games of their six-game set against the Double-A version of the Braves. In front of 2,608 at Trustmark Park, the hometown Braves scored first, on a Riley Mahan throwing error in the fourth inning. Shea Langeliers homered two innings later to double Mississippi’s lead, but Pensacola wasn’t quite done yet.

Lázaro Alonso tied the score in the top of the seventh, driving home Victor Victor Mesa and JJ Bleday with a double. Unfortunately, that’s all the offense that Pensacola could muster, and Langeliers added a three-run homer in the eighth inning to do in the Wahoos.

Somewhat making up for his error in the fourth, Mahan was the only Wahoo to finish with multiple hits, a pair of singles. A day after Bleday struck out four times, Peyton Burdick also turned the trick, going 0-for-5 from the dish. Jason Alexander started for the Wahoos, allowing only an unearned run on four hits over three innings. Jeff Lindgren came in for the final five innings, taking the loss by allowing the other four runs on five hits and two walks.

Pensacola will attempt to close their series at 5-1 starting Sunday at 3:05 PM, with Will Stewart making his first start of the season. The forgotten man in the J.T. Realmuto deal for Sixto Sanchez and Jorge Alfaro, it’s easy to forget that Stewart is still only 23-years-old.

High-A

Beloit Snappers 3, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 4

Connor Scott collected three hits in defeat with 1,330 on hand at Fox Cities Stadium, including a double. Griffin Conine added two, also including a double, and Luis Aracena also added a double. The only other hit for Beloit was Devin Hairston’s leadoff solo shot in the sixth inning.

Alberto Guerrero started for the Snappers, striking out four in 3 ²⁄₃ innings. He also surrendered three runs on four hits and a pair of walks. Reliever Josh Simpson followed with 2 ¹⁄₃ hitless innings, striking out two. He also hit two batsmen, threw a wild pitch, walked a batter, and committed a throwing error. He settled down after missing the plate on 10 of his first 18 offerings, getting over the plate on 16 of his final 27 pitches. Tyler Mitzel took the loss despite whiffing three in two innings.

Beloit will put the ball in the hands of Jake Walters for the final game of the six-game series Sunday starting at 2:05 PM.

Single-A

Jupiter Hammerheads 4, St. Lucie Mets 8

M.D. Johnson started for the Hammerheads, but only retired one batter before getting lifted. He put 15-of-38 pitches over the plate, walking five and surrendering four runs on two hits.

Osiris Johnson homered for the second time this season, and Diowill Burgos also went deep for the Sharks with 1,002 in the stands at Clover Park. Victor Mesa Jr. collected three RBI, going two-for-four at the plate. Johnson also finished with a pair of hits.

The Hammerheads and the Mets will play the final game of their six-game set starting Sunday at 12:10 PM. Jupiter hasn’t announced their starter at the time I wrote this article. Thanks for reading.

Checking in with the Top 30

1. Sixto Sánchez (JAX IL)
2. J.J. Bleday (PEN) 0-for-3, 1 run, 2 BB, .644 OPS
3. Max Meyer (PEN)
4. Edward Cabrera (JAX IL)
5. Lewin Díaz (JAX) 2-for-5, 1 HR, 1 run, 2 RBI, 1.116 OPS
6. Jesús Sánchez (JAX) 1-for-5, 1 2B, 1.656 OPS
7. Braxton Garrett (JAX)
8. José Devers (JAX)
9. Dax Fulton (JUP)
10. Nick Neidert (JAX)
11. Victor Mesa Jr. (JUP) 2-for-4, 3 RBI, .580 OPS
12. Peyton Burdick (PEN) 0-for-5, 4 SO, .671 OPS
13. Nasim Nuñez (JUP) 1-for-3, 3 runs, 2 BB, .511 OPS
14. Monte Harrison (JAX) 0-for-5, 2 SO, .632 OPS
15. Kameron Misner (BEL)
16. Connor Scott (BEL) 3-for-4, 1 2B, 2 R, 1.136 OPS
17. Kyle Nicolas (BEL)
18. Griffin Conine (BEL) 2-for-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SO, .768 OPS
19. José Salas (rookie)
20. Yiddi Cappe (rookie)
21. Jerar Encarnación (PEN) 1-for-4, 1 BB, 2 SO, .703 OPS
22. Jordan Holloway (MIA)
23. Zach McCambley (BEL)
24. Jake Eder (PEN)
25. Eury Pérez (JUP)
26. Evan Fitterer (rookie)
27. Paul Campbell (suspended)
28. Will Banfield (BEL) 0-for-4, 1 SO, .310 OPS
29. Jorge Guzman (MIA IL)
30. Osiris Johnson (JUP) 2-for-5, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 run, 1 RBI, 2 SO, 1.076 OPS

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