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Martinez Three-Run Homer Rockets Shuckers to 4-2 Win over Trash Pandas

Yeager strikes out two to earn 19th save of the season, Shuckers win 16th game by 2 or less in the second half
(Sierra Gatz)
September 6, 2024

MADISON, AL – Ernesto Martinez Jr. launched a three-run home run in the seventh inning for the lead and Justin Yeager locked it down with a scoreless ninth for his Southern League-leading 19th save of the season as the Biloxi Shuckers (63-65, 33-28) inched closer to a playoff spot with

MADISON, AL – Ernesto Martinez Jr. launched a three-run home run in the seventh inning for the lead and Justin Yeager locked it down with a scoreless ninth for his Southern League-leading 19th save of the season as the Biloxi Shuckers (63-65, 33-28) inched closer to a playoff spot with a 4-2 win over the Rocket City Trash Pandas (57-72, 24-37) at Toyota Field on Friday night. With the win and a Mississippi Braves loss, the Shuckers extended their lead to 2.5 games for the wild card with eight games remaining in the regular season.

Shuckers’ starter Nate Peterson turned in his second consecutive strong start, facing two over the minimum through four innings with five strikeouts. In the fifth, the Trash Pandas took a 1-0 lead on an RBI single from Nelson Rada, but Peterson limited the damage by inducing a flyout from David Mershon. Peterson ended his night with five innings of one-run ball with five strikeouts. Since rejoining the rotation on August 25, Peterson has allowed one earned run over 13.2 innings with 17 strikeouts.

The Shuckers responded with a bases-loaded walk from Adam Hall in the sixth, tying the game at one. In the seventh, Ernesto Martinez Jr. smashed a three-run shot to right-center, giving the Shuckers a 4-1 lead. The blast, his 13th of the year, gave him 11 extra-base hits and five home runs over his 14-game on-base streak. In the bottom of the inning, the Trash Pandas made it 4-2 with a sacrifice fly from David Mershon, but Chase Costello entered and struck out two to end the inning and end the threat. In the ninth, Justin Yeager worked around two baserunners to record his 19th save of the year, putting him one away from becoming the first Shuckers pitcher since 2019 to 20 in a season. Will Childers (2-3) earned the win for the Shuckers while Jared Southard (0-1) took the loss.

The win marked the Shuckers’ 16th of the half in a game decided by two runs or less and was the team’s 65th game of the year decided by two runs or less.

The series continues on Saturday with the team’s penultimate road game of the regular season. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at Toyota Field. Adam Seminaris (1-7, 6.22) is scheduled to start for the Shuckers against Chase Chaney (7-11, 4.57) for the Trash Pandas. Fans can listen live on the Biloxi Shuckers Radio Network with pregame coverage beginning at 6:15 p.m. from the Ground Zero Blues Club Broadcast Booth.

Fans can save up to 50% off day-of-game pricing by securing their 2024 Shuck Nation membership today. Shuck Nation memberships, Flex Plans and group outings are available now by visiting biloxishuckers.com, the ballpark offices and by calling (228) 233-3465. Fans can also receive more information regarding the full promotion schedule and single-game tickets on the Shuckers website.

ABOUT THE BILOXI SHUCKERS:

The Biloxi Shuckers are the Double-A Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Shuckers are members of the Southern League and play at Keesler Federal Park in Biloxi, Mississippi. For more information please visit biloxishuckers.com and follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.

ABOUT SHUCKERS BASEBALL, LLC:

Shuckers Baseball, LLC is a MS entity owned and operated by John Tracy. Shuckers Baseball operates the Biloxi Shuckers baseball franchise, including operating Keesler Federal Park for Biloxi Shuckers minor league baseball games and other entertainment and recreational events.