Norfolk, Virginia — Norfolk starting pitcher and former Lawrence Co. Bulldog Chandler Shepherd threw five solid innings on Wednesday evening but suffered the loss as the Tides fell 8-2 against Gwinnett the AAA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves at Harbor Park.
Shepherd gave up two hits and one run in the first inning before he settled in the next four innings and only allowed three base runners.
In the sixth inning a leadoff walk and a seeing eye single to right field put runners on first and second with no outs before the leading Home Run hitter in the international league and former Cincinnati Reds slugger Adam Duvall cane to the plate and hit a three run homer his 25th of the year to end Chandler’s night on the mound.
Shepherd’s final stat line vs Gwinnett was five innings, four hits, four runs, two walks and six strikeouts.
Since Shepherd has been with Norfolk he has pitched in six games and is 0-2 with a 4.74 ERA in 24.2 innings with 26 strikeouts.
Norfolk Pitcher Chandler Shepherd
CHAN’S COMMENTS
“… I thought I got off to a little bit of a shaky start had a little trouble finding the strike zone early but overall got settled in and got on a roll there and the guys played good defense behind me. Austin Wynn’s behind the plate worked his tail off for me and hung in there and battled with me and I really think that was what had to do with the end result. Duvall got me there at the end it was a bad pitch, I left it over the plate and good hitters like him that is what they are going to do that with a bad pitch. What we were trying to do was keep the ball down and get a ground ball double play and get off the field and keep the damage down. Obviously that didn’t work out.”
“… Definitely happy with the last few outings. Just trying to carry the momentum into my next outing. I really got good chemistry with both catchers, Wynns and Jesus Sucre which plays a huge factor. Things are looking great!
“… Leaving for Charlotte tonight on a four game trip before the All Star break and then head back up here and head home to Louisa for a few days to relax, see some family, see some friends and just hang out. Looking forward to getting to do that.”
I find impossible to be from Eastern Kentucky and not root for this kid. He is a role model personified. I think every kid that ever played little league baseball had a dream to play Major League Baseball, and Chan has never stopped working hard to live out his dream. So very proud of you and will root for you always. Good luck brother!