Outfielder becomes first Jumbo Shrimp player with three home runs in a game in Jacksonville triumph
NORFOLK, Va. – Dustin Fowler became the first Jumbo Shrimp to ever blast three home runs in one game as the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp romped over the Norfolk Tides 10-3 on Thursday from Harbor Park.
In addition to being the first Jumbo Shrimp with three homers in a single game, Fowler recorded his first career three-homer contest and the first for a Jacksonville player since Mark Saccomanno crushed three long balls on June 4, 2010 against Carolina.
Brian Miller singled and Deven Marrero walked to begin the game against Norfolk (47-70) starter Cody Sedlock (1-3). Fowler followed by smashing a three-run bomb. Two batters later, Corey Bird doubled before later coming in to score on a passed ball to give Jacksonville (67-50) a 4-0 lead.
The Tides immediately responded in the bottom of the first. Robert Neustrom singled before Kyle Stowers launched a two-run shot to halve the Jumbo Shrimp advantage. Tyler Nevin followed by whacking a solo home run to cut the margin to 4-3.
That was the extent of the damage against Jacksonville starter Daniel Castano (5-2), who gave up three runs on six hits in seven innings of work. He struck out seven against one walk.
With the score 4-3 in the second, Marrero walked with two outs for Fowler, who cranked a two-run shot.
Zack Zehner earned a free pass to begin the third before moving to third on a J.D. Osborne double. Justin Twine singled in both runners with a base hit, moving all the way to third on the throw and then an error. Twine scored on Connor Justus’ sacrifice fly to widen the gap to 9-3.
Fowler’s final home run of the day came as a solo shot in the sixth inning to set the final tally at 10-3. He went 3-for-5 with career-bests with three home runs and six RBIs.
Jacksonville battles Norfolk at 7:05 p.m. on Friday from Harbor Park, as RHP Jason Alexander (0-1, 4.76 ERA) starts for the Jumbo Shrimp against Tides RHP Kyle Bradish (4-5, 5.02 ERA). Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on www.Facebook.com/ESPN690Jax.
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.
