Diaz & Rogers Power Shrimp to 2-0 Win
KODAK, Tenn. - The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (61-63, 32-22) defeated the Tennessee Smokies (51-73, 18-37) by a 2-0 score in the fifth and final game of the five-game series at Smokies Stadium on Saturday night.
Jacksonville left-handed starting pitcher Trevor Rogers (1-1) earned the win for his first Double-A victory. The MLB Pipeline Marlins No. 9 prospect, Rogers worked seven scoreless innings where he scattered two hits, walked one batter, and struck out a Double-A-high 10 batters.
Tennessee right-handed starting pitcher Erick Leal (2-4) took the loss, working five and two-third innings where he allowed two runs (both earned) on eight hits with no walks and three strikeouts. Jacksonville right-handed relief pitcher Tommy Eveld turned in a scoreless ninth inning to earn his eighth save of the season.
The game was scoreless until the top of the fifth. Rogers collected his first professional hit and RBI with a two-out line drive RBI single into center field to score Bryson Brigman from third to put Jacksonville in front 1-0. An inning later in the top of the seventh, Lewin Diaz powered a solo home run to center, his seventh with Jacksonville in 18 games, to grow the lead to 2-0, which would be the final.
The Jumbo Shrimp will bus through the night to Birmingham, Alabama, and begin a five-game set against the Birmingham Barons at Regions Field on Sunday night at 7 p.m. eastern. Right-handed pitcher Kolton Mahoney (4-2, 3.15 ERA) will start for Jacksonville against Birmingham right-handed pitcher Lincoln Henzman (3-6, 6.04 ERA). Fans can listen to the game on the Jumbo Shrimp Network presented by Community First, beginning at 6:45 p.m. eastern with the pregame show "Shrimp On Deck" locally on Sunny 102.3 FM, on the TuneIn Radio app, and www.jaxshrimp.com.
ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Their inaugural season garnered the Southern League's Don Mincher Organization of the Year, Promotional Trophy and Jimmy Bragan Executive of the Year, won by General Manager Harold Craw. To experience the excitement with the terrific value of ticket and group options, call the Jumbo Shrimp at (904) 358-2846 or visit www.jaxshrimp.com.