JACKSONVILLE, FL - Seven runs in the first four innings by the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (38-53, 10-13) was too much for the Biloxi Shuckers (52-40, 11-11) to overcome in a 7-4 defeat on Saturday night at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Jake Gatewood connected for his 16th homer of the season in
JACKSONVILLE, FL - Seven runs in the first four innings by the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (38-53, 10-13) was too much for the Biloxi Shuckers (52-40, 11-11) to overcome in a 7-4 defeat on Saturday night at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Jake Gatewood connected for his 16th homer of the season in the game, tying him with Corey Ray for the Southern League lead.
Former Brewers farmhand Isan Díaz put the Jumbo Shrimp on the board in the first with a two-run homer to right, his tenth of the season and third in as many days, giving Jacksonville a 2-0 lead. Brian Schales doubled in a run in the second off RHP Marcos Diplan (L, 0-1) before a sacrifice fly plated another run for the Jumbo Shrimp, extending their lead to 4-0.
Diplan helped his own cause in the top of the fourth. Lucas Erceg started the frame with a single and stole second before Trent Grisham sent Erceg home with a single down the right field line. Max McDowell reached on a fielding error by Joe Dunand, bringing up Diplan. In just his fourth professional plate appearance, the righty shot a frozen rope over the head of the left fielder Lee, driving in both runners with a double, his first professional hit.
Jacksonville chased the Shuckers starter with a pair of walks and two singles in the bottom of the fourth. Facing RHP Cody Ponce, Diaz bounced a single inside of the bag at first, scoring two more to widen the Jumbo Shrimp lead back to four runs at 7-3.
Gatewood scored the final run of the game for the Shuckers with his opposite field homer in the top of the fifth off RHP Jordan Yamamoto (W, 1-0). It was Gatewood's second straight game with a homer.
RHP Kolton Mahoney (H, 3) tossed three innings of relief for the Jumbo Shrimp, not allowing a run on three hits, and LHP Dylan Lee locked down his third save, striking out three while giving up a single in the ninth.
Game four of the Shuckers five-game series in Jacksonville gets going on Sunday afternoon at 2:05 PM CT. All-Star RHP Zack Brown (8-0, 2.47) gets the start for Biloxi against Jumbo Shrimp RHP Robert Dugger (2-2, 5.65). The game can be heard locally on Cruisin' WGCM AM 1240/FM 100.9, TuneIn Radio or the MiLB First Pitch App.
Single game tickets for the Biloxi Shuckers 2018 season can be purchased at the MGM Park box office or over the phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Playoff strips, half-season tickets, flex plans and group outings are also available and can be reserved by calling 228-233-3465 or visiting www.biloxishuckers.com.
