Díaz blasts 17th homer of season in 4-2 loss to Durham
DURHAM, N.C. – Jumbo Shrimp pitching held the Bulls without a hit through the first five innings, and without a run through six frames, but a pair of two-run home runs, including one in the bottom of the ninth lifted Durham to a 4-2 win, Saturday, at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
Jacksonville (52-43) has now lost five of their last six games, including four in a row to the Durham (61-33).
With the score tied 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Josh Lowe worked a leadoff walk, and Dalton Kelly followed by hitting a Tommy Eveld (loss, 3-2) pitch over the blue monster in left-center to lift Durham to its second walk-off win of the series.
Ryan Sherriff (win, 3-2) allowed a walk and hit a batter in the top of the ninth inning, but was able to strike out a pair to send the game to the bottom of the ninth tied up.
Pablo López was excellent in his first rehab outing for the Jumbo Shrimp. He faced the minimum in three innings, allowing only a hit batter to reach base against him. López did not give up a walk or a hit and struck out three, throwing 24 of his 38 pitches for strikes.
Jacksonville opened the scoring in the fourth inning when Lewin Díaz lined his 17th home run of the season over the center field wall to put Jacksonville ahead, 1-0. He finished with two of the Jacksonville four hits in the contest.
It remained that way until the seventh. Jordan Holloway took over for López and struck out five in 4.2 innings in relief. The lone blemish against him came when Kelly singled to lead off the seventh inning and Esteban Quiroz launched a two-run homer one batter later to put Durham in front, 2-1.
Jacksonville quickly evened the score in the eighth. Corey Bird led off the inning by drawing a walk, and stole second to get into scoring position. After a walk to Monte Harrison, Nick Fortes bounced a fielder’s choice ground ball to second, and in trying to turn a double play, the Bulls threw the ball away, allowing Bird to come into score the tying run. Bird reached base in all three plate appearances.
The series concludes Sunday at 5:05 p.m. when Daniel Castano (2-2, 4.96) takes the mound for the Jumbo Shrimp. The Bulls have not yet announced a starter for the contest. Coverage will begin at 4:50 p.m. on ESPN 690 and 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.
