Shrimp Scale Smokies 5-3
KODAK, Tenn. - The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (60-63, 31-22) defeated the Tennessee Smokies (51-72, 18-36) by a 5-3 score in the fourth game of the five-game series at Smokies Stadium on Friday night.
Jacksonville left-handed starting pitcher Daniel Castano (6-1) earned the victory. He worked seven innings where he allowed two runs (both earned) on four hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Tennessee right-handed starting pitcher Erich Uelmen (0-2) took the loss, giving up five runs (all earned) on six hits with four walks and three strikeouts. Jacksonville left-handed relief pitcher Alex Vesia earned his first Double-A save by getting the final four outs of the game, with three of them strikeouts to preserve the win.
Lewin Diaz started the scoring in the top of the first inning with a line drive two-run home run to right field to give Jacksonville a 2-0 lead. In the top of the second inning, Brian Miller added to the lead with a two-out two-run single to put Jacksonville's advantage at 4-0. Miller continued his strong night at the plate in his next at bat, adding an RBI double in the top of the fourth that grew the lead to 5-0. Tennessee got on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning, with an RBI single by Tyler Payne before a sacrifice fly by Ian Rice cut Jacksonville's lead to 5-2.
Against Jumbo Shrimp right-handed relief pitcher Alex Mateo in the bottom of the eighth inning, Tennessee's Nico Hoerner collected an RBI single to cut Jacksonville's lead to 5-3, which would be the final.
Miller finished the night 3-for-5 with 3 RBI, while Diaz also was 3-for-5 with his homer and two doubles.
The Jumbo Shrimp and Smokies will finish the series with the fifth game of the five-game set at Smokies Stadium on Saturday night at 7 p.m. Left-handed pitcher Trevor Rogers (0-1, 4.66 ERA) will start for Jacksonville against Tennessee right-handed pitcher Erick Leal (2-3, 5.45 ERA). Fans can listen to the game on the Jumbo Shrimp Network presented by Community First, beginning at 6:45 p.m. 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.