BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Facing his former club for the first time, Birmingham Barons left-hander Matt Tomshaw pitched his first career nine-inning complete game, and catcher Zack Collins homered and drove in four runs in an 8-1 win over the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in the opener of a five-game series at
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Facing his former club for the first time, Birmingham Barons left-hander Matt Tomshaw pitched his first career nine-inning complete game, and catcher Zack Collins homered and drove in four runs in an 8-1 win over the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in the opener of a five-game series at Regions Field Sunday night.
Neither team had a baserunner until the bottom of the third inning, when Barons second baseman Bryant Flete hit a leadoff single to right field against Jacksonville right-hander Cody Poteet (2-5). Center fielder Tito Polo reached on a one-out infield single, went to third base when shortstop Danny Mendick hit an RBI single to center field, and scored on Collins' sacrifice fly for a 2-0 Birmingham lead.
The Jumbo Shrimp (22-32) answered in the top of the fourth inning against Tomshaw (1-3). Left fielder Cade Gotta hit a leadoff single to right field and went to second base when right fielder Jameson Fisher misplayed the ball. Gotta stole third base and scored on right fielder John Norwood's two-out RBI single. Tomshaw allowed one more hit the rest of the way, as he retired 16 of the final 17 batters, including the last 11 in order. He scattered three hits with no walks and eight strikeouts.
The Barons (26-29) extended the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Designated hitter Seby Zavala singled to right field, and Fisher drew a one-out walk. Flete grounded to first baseman Peter O'Brien, whose errant throw past second base scored Zavala and put two runners in scoring position. Center fielder Tito Polo's two-out, two-run single made it 5-1. Poteet lasted six innings, allowing five runs - two earned runs - on eight hits and one walk with six strikeouts.
Jacksonville right-hander Max Duval began the seventh inning allowing consecutive singles to Polo and Mendick, before Collins hit a three-run home run to right field for an 8-1 lead. Right-hander Zech Lemond pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
UP NEXT: The Jumbo Shrimp continue their series in Birmingham at 8:05 p.m. Monday, when Jacksonville right-hander Nick Neidert (5-3) is scheduled to face Barons right-hander Dane Dunning (3-1). The Jumbo Shrimp return home for a 10-game homestand beginning Friday, June 8, against the Biloxi Shuckers. Fans may visit any participating NAPA AutoCare Center to get a FREE general admission ticket (reserved seat upgrade available at the box office) for the game that concludes with NAPA AutoCare Family Fireworks. The Jumbo Shrimp wear red "Bold City" jerseys to support the military on Red Shirt Friday, when fans who wear red can save $1 per ticket at the box office or donate the $1 to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. Friday Night Lites Miller Lite Happy Hour offers $1 12-oz. Miller Lite and $1 off craft beer specials in the Craft Cave by the third-base gates until 7:30 p.m. The game is presented by 99.9 Gator Country.
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.
