Díaz tallies two-hit game in 3-2 defeat
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Elieser Hernández struck out 10 in five innings on Tuesday, but the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offense went just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and fell 3-2 to the Charlotte Knights at 121 Financial Ballpark.
Jacksonville (48-37) stranded the bases loaded in the sixth inning, and were unable to plate Justin Twine after a leadoff triple in the seventh, as Charlotte (30-54) snapped a three-game losing skid.
Hernández struck out two in the first inning, and then fanned the side in the second following a leadoff second-inning home run to Gavin Sheets that gave Charlotte a 1-0 advantage. Hernández again fanned the side in the fourth inning, and finished the night throwing just 62 pitches (48 strikes) in five frames. He allowed just two hits and didn’t walk a batter.
Trailing 1-0 in the sixth, Jacksonville sent eight men to the plate and grabbed the lead. Bryson Brigman led off with an infield single and made it to second on the play due to an errant throw. Two batters later, Lewin Díaz scored him with an RBI single up the middle to knot the tally. Nick Fortes then doubled to put runners at the corners, and Corey Bird followed with a sharp grounder to second. The Knights attempted to throw out Díaz at the plate, but he beat the throw to give the Jumbo Shrimp a 2-1 lead against Mike Wright (win, 7-5).
Wright gave up two runs on six hits over six innings. He walked one and struck out six.
The lead was short-lived. Blake Rutherford reached on an error to begin the seventh and Yermin Mercedes lined a single to center to put runners at the corners. Sheets then doubled to center to tie the score, and Mikie Mahtook followed with a sac fly to left to put Charlotte back in front at 3-2 against Parker Bugg (loss, 5-1).
Austin Prewitt made his Jumbo Shrimp debut with a scoreless sixth inning in which he struck out a pair. Preston Guilmet struck out four and retired all six hitters he faced across the final two frames, as Jacksonville pitching finished with 16 strikeouts in the contest.
The series continues Wednesday as left-hander Daniel Castano (1-2, 4.38) makes a rehab start for Jacksonville, while righty Kade McClure makes his Triple-A debut for the Knights at 7:05 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. for a VyStar Credit Union Charity Begins at Home in which VyStar Credit Union partners with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to raise awareness and funds throughout the game through ticket sales and promotions. The Jumbo Shrimp will also celebrate Roberto Clemente’s 87th birthday.
Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on ESPN 690 as well as online at espn690.com, MiLB.tv, and on 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.
