Casteel Clubs Ninth-Inning Homer, but Stripers Lose 4-3 to Jacksonville

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Ryan Casteel hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, but the Gwinnett Stripers (46-48) fell 4-3 to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (51-43) on Tuesday night at Coolray Field. With the loss, the Stripers are now 15-16 in one-run games.

[BOX SCORE]

Decisive Plays: The Jumbo Shrimp seized a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a two-run homer by Jerar Encarnacion (10) off Tucker Davidson (L, 3-7), then added another run on Encarnacion's RBI double in the third. Chadwick Tromp's RBI single scoring Braden Shewmake cut the deficit to 3-1 in the fourth. Jacksonville added another run in the ninth to go up 4-1. Casteel's two-run homer (9) to left brought the Stripers to within one run at 4-3. Joe Dunand then doubled with one out, but was left stranded.

Key Contributors: Casteel (2-for-4, homer, 2 RBI) and Joe Dunand (2-for-4, double) each had multi-hit showings, while Shewmake (triple, run), Tromp (RBI), and Alex Dickerson (double) each finished the night 1-for-4. For Jacksonville, Encarnacion led the way with a 2-for-4 night (double, homer, 3 RBI). Matthew Kent (W, 5-7) tossed 6.0-one run innings, striking out six.

Noteworthy: Casteel has homered in back-to-back games, batting .375 (3-for-8) with five RBIs in that stretch. Shewmake has now scored in four consecutive games, dating back to July 22 in Memphis. He is hitting .438 (7-for-16) with four extra-base hits, five runs, and four RBIs over that span.

Next Game (Wednesday, July 26): Gwinnett vs. Jacksonville, 7:05 p.m. at Coolray Field. RHP Nolan Kingham (3-2, 3.74 ERA) for the Stripers vs. LHP Jesus Luzardo (NR) for the Jumbo Shrimp. Radio Broadcast: 6:50 p.m. on MyCountry993.com. It's Wet Nose Wednesday (presented by New Country 101.5) at Coolray Field as dogs get in the park for free with owner's paid admission. The Stripers will transform into the "Xolos de Gwinnett" to honor Gwinnett County's rich Hispanic heritage and culture.