MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp right fielder Cade Gotta tripled and hit an eighth-inning, go-ahead home run against his former team, completing Jacksonville's comeback from a 4-1, seventh-inning deficit to defeat the Montgomery Biscuits, 5-4, in the fourth game of a five-game series at Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium Tuesday night.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp right fielder Cade Gotta tripled and hit an eighth-inning, go-ahead home run against his former team, completing Jacksonville's comeback from a 4-1, seventh-inning deficit to defeat the Montgomery Biscuits, 5-4, in the fourth game of a five-game series at Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium Tuesday night.
The Biscuits (15-24) took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning against Jacksonville right-hander Cody Poteet. Designated hitter Dalton Kelly singled to right field, and second baseman Nick Solak hit a two-run home run to left field. In the second inning, Biscuits third baseman Michael Russell singled, stole second base and scored after a pair of groundouts. Poteet pitched scoreless third, fourth and fifth innings, but the Biscuits chased him with a sixth-inning run. Kelly walked, Solak doubled off the left-field wall, and left fielder Brandon Lowe hit a sacrifice fly to left field. Poteet allowed four earned runs on seven hits and three walks with one strikeout in 5 1/3 innings. He was also aided by catcher Rodrigo Vigil catching four of six steal attempts by the Biscuits, who lead the Southern League in stolen bases.
Randy Ready Postgame at Montgomery 5/15/18
The Jumbo Shrimp (15-22) reached the scoreboard against Montgomery right-hander Eduar Lopez in the top of the fourth inning. Gotta, a Biscuit in 2016 and 2017, grounded a triple down the first-base line and scored on first baseman Eric Jagielo's RBI groundout to first base, trimming the Biscuits lead to 3-1.
Jacksonville rallied to tie the game in the seventh inning. Jagielo hit a leadoff double and went to third base when designated hitter John Norwood doubled on a ground ball off Russell's glove at third base. Vigil hit a one-out RBI single down the first-base line to chase Lopez after a season-long 6 1/3 innings. Right-hander Curtis Taylor (0-1) entered and threw a wild pitch that scored Norwood. Shortstop Chris Diaz singled to right field, and a two-out wild pitch by Taylor scored Vigil to make it 4-4. Lopez was charged with four earned runs on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts.
Gotta led off the eighth inning against Taylor with a home run over the walkway above the left-field wall for a 5-4 Jacksonville lead. Right-hander Zech Lemond (1-0) pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief of Poteet, and left-hander José Quijada pitched the final 1 1/3 innings, earning his third save by stranding the tying and winning runs in scoring position.
UP NEXT: The Jumbo Shrimp conclude their series in Montgomery at 11:35 a.m. Wednesday, with Jacksonville right-hander Max Duval (1-4) starting. The Jumbo Shrimp return home Thursday for Budweiser Thirsty Thursday, with $1 12-oz. and $2 24-oz. beers at select locations, plus $1 sodas at the main concession stands. For National Police Week, Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams will throw a ceremonial first pitch, and police vehicles and trucks will be on display at the ballpark. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Bigs with Badges program will attend the game courtesy of Florida Blue.
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.
