Smeltzer fires first Jumbo Shrimp no-hitter

Jacksonville splits doubleheader with Charlotte

Devin Smeltzer fires the first no-hitter in Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp history Friday night. (Wyatt Lucovsky/Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp)

By Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

September 1, 2023

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Devin Smeltzer tossed the first no-hitter in Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp history as the Jumbo Shrimp split their doubleheader with the Charlotte Knights Friday night, falling 4-1 in game one and winning game two, 3-0. The Knights (47-83, 12-43) were only able to muster three walks but were

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Devin Smeltzer tossed the first no-hitter in Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp history as the Jumbo Shrimp split their doubleheader with the Charlotte Knights Friday night, falling 4-1 in game one and winning game two, 3-0.

The Knights (47-83, 12-43) were only able to muster three walks but were held without a hit for seven innings. Smeltzer’s no-hitter is the first in the Jumbo Shrimp era (2017-present) and first for a Jacksonville (63-66, 31-24) player since August 15, 2010 when Elih Villaneuva tossed a rain-shortened five-inning no-hitter against Carolina. It’s the first no-hitter of more than five innings since Chad Billingsley and Jonathan Broxton no-hit Birmingham in the postseason on September 6, 2005, and the first regular season no-hitter of at least six innings since Kevin Mobley no-hit the Tennessee Smokies on August 3, 2000.

Jacksonville took the lead in the first inning of game two and never looked back. With two outs, Troy Johnston reached second on a throwing error. Dane Myers singled and with runners at the corners, Knights starter Johan Dominguez (0-1) balked in the first run of the game.

The Jumbo Shrimp added to their lead in the third. Jake Mangum led off with a double and Jacob Amaya walked. A flyout allowed Mangum to advance to third and he scored on a wild pitch. Amaya moved to second on the wild pitch and scored three batters later on a base hit from Jordan Groshans, pushing the lead to 3-0.

Jacksonville took the early lead against Charlotte in game one. After Amaya reached on a fielder’s choice, he stole second and went to third on a base hit from Johnston. With runners at the corners, Jorge Alfaro knocked a single to plate Amaya, giving the Jumbo Shrimp a 1-0 lead.

Charlotte evened the game with a solo home run from Seby Zavala (1) in the second.

The Knights took the final lead in the fourth. Tyler Neslony (5) led off with a solo blast, giving Charlotte a 2-1 lead. Two batters later, Xavier Fernández and Nate Mondou smacked consecutive singles. Yolbert Sánchez singled, scoring Fernández to increase the lead to 3-1. Tyler Naquin knocked the fourth straight hit of the inning, scoring Mondou to give the Knights a three-run lead.

The Jumbo Shrimp and Knights continue their series Saturday at 6:35 p.m. LHP Enmanuel De Jesus (4-4, 5.00 ERA) gets the ball for Jacksonville against Knights RHP Chase Solesky (0-8, 6.86 ERA). Coverage begins at 6:20 p.m. on Bally Live, MiLB.tv, ESPN 690 and www.ESPN690.com.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for a Campfire Mug giveaway to the first 2,000 fans, presented by Maxwell House Coffee. Fans can also partake in Phobia Night. The Jumbo Shrimp are also proud to host Scout Night at the ballpark.

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 marked 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.