Mazza Dominant in 3-0 Shrimp Win

BILOXI, Miss. - The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (19-21, 49-61) defeated the Biloxi Shuckers (18-22, 54-55) by a 3-0 score in the fifth and final game of the five-game series at MGM Park on Thursday night.

Jacksonville right-handed starting pitcher Chris Mazza (2-7) earned the victory with a career-long eight and a third innings pitched in scoreless fashion, scattering two hits while walking three and striking out two as he earned his first win since May 22. Biloxi right-handed relief pitcher Travis Hissong (0-1) took the loss, allowing two runs on a hit with a walk and a strikeout. Jacksonville right-handed relief pitcher Tyler Kinley got the final two outs in the ninth inning to earn his fifth save of the season.
The game was scoreless until the top of the sixth inning. Jacksonville was held scoreless during the five innings from Biloxi starter Corbin Burnes, who allowed just two hits and struck out seven batters.
The Shrimp scored two runs in the top of the sixth on back-to-back sacrifice flies from Austin Dean and David Vidal to take a 2-0 lead. Jacksonville added its final run in the top of the ninth on a solo homer by Dustin Geiger to grow the lead to 3-0, which would be the final score.
The Shuckers would load the bases in the bottom of the ninth but Kinley forced out René García to line out to second to end the game. The victory snapped a five-game losing streak for the Jumbo Shrimp, and Jacksonville went 4-6 during its final 10-game road trip of the season.
The Jumbo Shrimp will bus home through the night to Jacksonville, and on Friday night will begin a 10-game homestand at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, first starting a five-game series with the Birmingham Barons at 7:05 p.m. Left-handed pitcher Matt Tomshaw (9-6, 3.85 ERA) will start for Jacksonville against Birmingham right-handed pitcher Jordan Stephens (2-3, 2.10). Fans can listen to the game on the Jumbo Shrimp Network presented by Community First, beginning at 6:50 p.m. with the pregame show "Shrimp On Deck" locally on FM 100.3 The Biz and AM 1600, on the TuneIn Radio app, and www.jaxshrimp.com.
ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are beginning a new era of affordable family fun with the 2017 season presented by Community First Credit Union at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. With a new lineup of ticket and group options, there is a reason for everyone to get part of the action by calling the Jumbo Shrimp at (904) 358-2846 or visiting www.jaxshrimp.com.