Game 114: Jumbo Shrimp at Tides

Tuesday, September 14, 2021–7:05 p.m. ET

Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (65–49) at Norfolk Tides (46–68)

Harbor Park — Norfolk, Va.

LAST TIME OUT:

The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and Charlotte Knights split a doubleheader Saturday, with each team winning a 2–1 decision. Monte Harrison hit a two-run homer in game one for his 13th of the season, while Braxton Garrett fanned seven in five scoreless innings. In game two, Brandon Leibrandt tossed five scoreless innings, striking out three, and the ballgame went to extras scoreless before Ruben Tejada hit a go-ahead two-run homer for Charlotte. Jacksonville scored a run in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI single from Brian Miller, but stranded him aboard as the tying run to end the game.

Monte Harrison hit his 13th home run of the season on Saturday in a doubleheader split with Charlotte. (Bill Moll/Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp)

GAME INFO:

The Jumbo Shrimp and Tides begin a six-game series in their final head-to-head matchup of the season beginning tonight at 7:05 p.m. at Harbor Park. The Jumbo Shrimp lead the season series 21–9, outscoring Norfolk by 34 runs over 30 games this season.

MEET THE TIDES:

Norfolk is the Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The Tides enter with a 46–68 record and are sixth in the Southeast Division.

Norfolk is managed by Gary Kendall, who returns for his second season with the Tides. Before joining the Tides in 2019, Kendall was the manager for the Bowie Baysox for eight seasons, setting the franchise managerial record for career wins at 570. Kendall led the Baysox to three postseason appearances, including the franchise’s lone Eastern League Championship in 2015.

Norfolk, like Jacksonville, is a very big Navy town, which is why the regular-season series between these two teams has been dubbed “The Navy Town Showdown.” As the winner of the series, Jacksonville will receive a ship’s bell as a trophy, presented by Geico Military.

The Orioles promoted catcher Adley Rutschman, the top-ranked prospect in Minor League Baseball, to Triple-A last month. Rutschman was selected by the Orioles in 2019 as the №1 overall pick out of Oregon State University. Since being called up, the switch-hitter is slashing .323/.415/.495/.910 with three home runs and 11 RBIs in 28 games.

PITCHING MATCHUP:

RHP Nick Neidert (6-2, 2.72 ERA)

Nick Neidert will make his 11th start of the season for Jacksonville tonight against the Tides. In head-to-head play with Norfolk this season, the righty is 2–0 with a 0.79 ERA in four outings. Neidert last worked September 1 against Durham, giving up five runs on eight hits in five innings against the Bulls, his worst statistical outing of the season with Jacksonville. The 24-year-old was originally drafted by the Mariners in the second round of 2015 out of high school and was traded to the Marlins as part of the Dee Strange-Gordon deal at the end of 2017. Neidert made his debut last season for Miami and has also made seven appearances (six starts) this year for the Marlins. He is the ninth-ranked prospect in the Marlins system and features a fastball, slider, changeup, curve, and cutter.

LHP Kevin Smith (3-5, 5.77 )

Kevin Smith will make his 13th start of the season for the Tides. The lefty began the season at Double-A Bowie, where he posted a 1.04 ERA over six outings before getting the promotion to Triple-A. Smith has worked through an up-and-down season that had him endure five runs over four innings his last start against Durham, but he did toss five scoreless innings against Jacksonville on August 5. Smith was originally drafted by the Mets in the 7th round of 2018 out of the University of Georgia. The Orioles acquired him at the trade deadline in 2020 in exchange for Miguel Castro. The lefty features a fastball, slider, and changeup.

LINEUP

1. Brian Miller, LF
2. Monte Harrison, CF
3. Nick Fortes, DH
4. Zack Zehner, RF
5. Deven Marrero, 1B
6. Payton Henry, C
7. Joe Dunand, SS
8. Connor Justus, 3B
9. Justin Twine, 2B

NEWS FROM THE TROUPE:

• Sandy Alcantara was sensational Monday for the Marlins, carrying a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals. The righty ultimately gave up one hit in eight innings, struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter to earn his ninth win of the season and lower his ERA to 3.10.

TRIPLE-A SOUTHEAST DIVISION STANDINGS

FISH FAMILY

Here is a look at the other Marlins’ Affiliates:

Low-A: Jupiter Hammerheads (60–52) vs St. Lucie Mets (56–54) @ 6:10 p.m. ET

High-A: Beloit Snappers (53–61) at Lake County Captains (61–63) @ 6:35 p.m. ET

Double-A: Pensacola Blue Wahoos (56–53) at Rocket City Trash Pandas(53–55) @ 7:35 p.m.

MLB: Miami Marlins (61–83) at Washington Nationals (59–85) @ 7:05 p.m. ET

BROADCAST INFORMATION:

Today’s game will be broadcast on the following platforms:

Radio: ESPN 690 AM

Online Stream: MiLB.TV

Phone/Tablet: ESPN690.com, JaxShrimp.com, MiLB First Pitch App