Allentown, Pennsylvania (August 15, 2023) – A seven-run first inning was too much for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (60-52, 24-15) to overcome in a 11-5 loss to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (56-58, 24-16) on Tuesday night at Coca-Cola Park.
Jacksonville started the game by plating seven runs in the first inning without the benefit of a hit. The first eight batters reached (seven walks, one hit batter), with five straight bases loaded walks bringing in the first five runs of the game. After a strikeout Xavier Edwards and Garrett Hampson worked two more bases loaded walk to make it 7-0.
The IronPigs answered back quickly. In the last of the first, Cristian Pache walked to start the frame and Kody Clemens followed with a single. Dustin Peterson then doubled home Pache before Darick Hall smoked a three-run homer, his 10th of the season, to make it 7-4.
An RBI double from Jordan Groshans made it 8-4 in the second before Jerar Encarnacion launched a two-run homer in the fourth to make it 10-4 Jacksonville.
In the bottom of the fourth, Simon Muzziotti smashed a solo homer, his fifth of the year, to make it 10-5.
In the seventh, Garret Hampson singled and advanced to second on an error before scoring on a two-out single from Dane Myers to make it 11-5.
Daniel Castano (3-0) picked up the win for Jacksonville, allowing five runs on four hits and four walks, striking out six in five frames.
Griff McGarry (0-1) suffered the loss for the IronPigs. McGarry did not record an out while walking six and hitting a batter.
The IronPigs and Jumbo Shrimp continue their series on Wednesday, August 16 with first pitch slated for 7:05 p.m.
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