BayBears fall after rough start in first road game

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (April 11, 2018) - The Mobile BayBears, the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, cut an early seven-run deficit to four but lost 9-5 to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in the series opener Wednesday night at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
After falling behind 7-0 through the first four innings, Matt Thaiss and Taylor Ward both drove in a pair of runs to tighten the game. Thaiss hit a two-run single in the fifth, and Ward plated two with a seventh-inning double to extend his hit streak to six games. However, the BayBears (3-3) could not pull closer than 9-5.
Jesus Castillo (1-1) gave up a career-high seven earned runs on eight hits and walked three batters in the loss. He failed to get an out in the fourth inning, as the first seven batters reached base and the Jumbo Shrimp (2-4) scored six runs in the frame.
Cody Poteet worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the fourth to keep the BayBears off the board. However, he gave up a pair of runs in the fifth and was relieved after 4 2/3 innings. Kolton Mahoney (1-2) earned the win out of the bullpen.
Jake Jewell and Greg Mahle combined to hold Jacksonville scoreless over the final three innings. Jewell pitched two innings and gave up two hits, while Mahle retired the side in order in the eighth.
 
The BayBears continue the five-game road series against Jacksonville Thursday at 6:05 p.m. CDT. Right-handed pitcher Luis Pena (0-0, 0.00 ERA) is scheduled to make the start against righty Nick Neidert (0-0, 7.36 ERA) for the Jumbo Shrimp. Live coverage can be seen on MiLB.tv (Jacksonville feed, subscription required, promo code: BAYBEARS) and heard on the BayBears Broadcast Network, the TuneIn Radio App, and the MiLB First Pitch App, with the Countdown to First Pitch starting at 5:45 p.m. CT.
The BayBears return home Monday and host a total of 70 home dates through Labor Day, September 3. Single-game tickets and ticket packages are currently on sale. Season tickets and group and hospitality offerings for the 2018 season can be reserved by calling (251) 479-BEAR (2327).
 
About the Mobile BayBears
The Mobile BayBears are the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles and play their games at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile, Ala. The BayBears were founded in 1997 and have won four Southern League titles in 1998, 2004, 2011, and 2012. Additionally, the 1998 and 2011 championship squads were named Minor League Team of the Year by Baseball America. More than 160 former BayBears have reached the Major League level, including All-Stars Max Scherzer, Paul Goldschmidt, Jake Peavy, Carlos González, and Justin Upton. For more information on the Mobile BayBears and Hank Aaron Stadium, please visit MobileBayBears.com, call (251) 479-BEAR (2327), or contact Steve Goldberg via email at [email protected].
###