Jumbo Shrimp earn first shutout, roll Tides 4-0

NORFOLK, Va. – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp picked up their first shutout victory of the season, as Elieser Hernández and Nick Neidert combined to blank the Norfolk Tides 4-0 to spoil the home opener at Harbor Park.

Hernández tossed three hitless innings in a rehab start for the Jumbo Shrimp (9-4), while the Tides (3-10) failed to advance a runner past second base in the contest. The shoutout was Jacksonville’s first since August 17, 2019 against Tennessee.

The Marlins right-hander was making his first start since suffering a biceps injury on April 3 against Tampa Bay. He faced just one over the minimum, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out four. He threw 44 pitches, with 28 going for strikes.

Jesus Sánchez broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning with a bullet off the base of the wall in center field against Tides starter Spenser Watkins (loss, 0-2). On the play Norfolk center fielder Richie Martin collided into the fence, allowing Sánchez to circle the bases for an inside the park home run.

Nick Neidert (win, 2-0) piggybacked Hernández, tossing six scoreless innings in relief to earn his second consecutive win. Niedert struck out four, while scattering six singles.

In the fifth inning, Deven Marrero led off with a double to left-center and came in to score on a Brian Navarreto RBI single one batter later. Corey Bird then beat out a bunt attempt to put two on base, and José Devers pushed both into scoring position with a successful sacrifice. Lewin Díaz cashed in with a sac fly to left field, scoring Navarreto and increasing the advantage to 3-0.

In the seventh, Jacksonville struck again. Marrero led off with a single to right, and scored two batters later on Bird’s RBI double the opposite way to the left-center alleyway to push the advantage to 4-0.

The series continues Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. when Jacksonville sends righty Josh A. Smith (1-0, 3.12) to the hill to do battle with Norfolk lefty Zac Lowther (0-1, 4.15). The broadcast will begin at 6:20 p.m. on ESPN 690 and online at espn690.com, MiLB.tv, and the MiLB First Pitch app.

ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at 121 Financial Ballpark. 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. The club added its second Promotional Trophy in three years following the 2019 season. The 2021 season marks the return of Triple-A baseball in Jacksonville. 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.