Smokies Late Push Falls Short In 5-3 Loss To Jacksonville

KODAK - The Tennessee Smokies (51-72, 18-35) could not survive a early offensive downpour from the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (60-63, 31-22) in a 5-3 loss on Friday night at Smokies Stadium
The Jumbo Shrimp wasted little time to jump on Smokies starter RHP Erich Uelmen (L, 0-2). Brian Miller struck the third pitch of the ballgame for a single. He trotted home along with Lewin Diaz who cranked a two run home run in to right field to give Jacksonville a early 2-0 lead. 
The Shrimp continued to add on. In the second, Miller added another pair of runs on a two RBI-single to score both Bryson Brigman and Anfernee Seymour. Lightning struck twice for Miller who added his third RBI and third hit on the night in the fourth inning with a double that plated Brigman and ran the Jumbo Shrimp lead to 5-0.
Uelmen took his second loss in his third start with the Smokies since being promoted from Advanced-A Myrtle Beach on 7/31. He gave up five earned runs in four innings and walked four batters and struck out three.
The Smokies cut the deficit in the fourth inning with a pair of runs of their own. Both Vimael Machin and Nico Hoerner were walked by Jacksonville starter, LHP Daniel Castano (W, 6-1). Tyler Payne knocked home Machin on a single for his third RBI with the Smokies. Ian RIce followed with a sacrifice fly to score Hoerner and set the score at 5-2. Hoerner extended his on base streak to 16 games and leads the team in August with ten runs.
Castano surrendered his spot on the mound to the bullpen for the jumbo Shrimp after seven solid innings in which he allowed just two runs and four hits. After a pair of walks, Hoerner pushed home the Smokies third consecutive run with a single to bring home Christian Donahue and run the score to 5-3.
The Smokies late push came up just short as LHP Alex Vesia (S, 1) recorded the final four outs to seal a 5-3 win for the Jumbo Shrimp and force a rubber-match.
The Smokies and the Jumbo Shrimp battle it out for the last time this season on Saturday night. RHP Erick Leal (2-3, 5.45), will make his eighth start this season with the Smokies. On the other end, LHP Trevor Rogers (0-1, 4.66) will get the ball for Jacksonville. First pitch is set for 7:00 EDT. One lucky fan in attendance tomorrow will win a four night stay in Orlando Florida. Theme park passes and a flight voucher from Allegiant are included.