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| Photo by Tim Davis/Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp |
The Knights (34-58) saved themselves by the skin on their teeth in the top of the ninth inning. Down 6-5 and with two outs on the board, Laz Rivera singled against Jumbo Shrimp reliever George Soriano (1-2), then advanced to third off another single by Zach Remillard. A third single by Mark Payton plated Rivera to tie the game at six. Consecutive base hits by Lenyn Sosa and Adam Haseley brought in two more runs to finalize the score at 8-6.
Charlotte wasted no time in getting on the board in the top of the first inning. The first pitch of the game was blasted by Payton (13) to the right field stands to give the Knights an initial 1-0 advantage.
The Jumbo Shrimp (49-43) responded in the bottom of the first inning. Brian Miller singled to center field, then advanced to second on a ground out. Miller then stole third and after a walk by Lewin Díaz, a line drive by Encarnacion sent Miller home, tying up the score 1-1.
Charlotte broke the tie in the top of the third inning. With two outs on the board, Carlos Pérez smacked a two-run homer out to left field to make it 3-1.
Jacksonville reduced the deficit in the bottom of the fourth inning. Charles Leblanc started the inning with a line drive single. Leblanc stole second then scored on a single by Ryan Lavarnway.
Jumbo Shrimp brought it back in the bottom of the fifth inning. Demetrius Sims walked, then advanced to second on a line drive single by Peyton Burdick. Later in the frame, another walk by Leblanc loaded the bases with two outs. A wild pitch plated Sims, tying up the game again 3-3.
Jacksonville finally took their first lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. After Díaz walked, Encarnacion (9) blasted a two-run homer out to right field, putting the Jumbo Shrimp ahead 5-3.
Charlotte responded in-kind in the top of the eighth inning. With two outs on the board and Sosa on first, Pérez smacked another two-run homer out to left field, tying the game once again 5-5.
The Jumbo Shrimp responded right away in the bottom of the eighth. Lavarnway walked with one out. After another out, consecutive walks by Bryson Brigman, Sims, and Burdick sent Lavarnway home to once again crack the tie 6-5. Anderson Severino (1-3) came on to get Charlotte out of the jam.
Jacksonville hosts Charlotte at 6:35 p.m. on Sunday in a rubber match. RHP Nick Neidert (2-0, 2.18 ERA) starts for the Jumbo Shrimp against Knights RHP Mike Wright (3-0, 3.81 ERA). Coverage begins at 6:20 p.m. on MiLB.tv, ESPN 690 and ESPN690.com.