After jumping out to a 6-0 lead, the Biloxi Shuckers (35-25) held on for a 7-6 victory over the Mississippi Braves (26-32) on Thursday night at Trustmark Park. With the win, the Shuckers stay one game back of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos heading into a five-games series against their divisional
After jumping out to a 6-0 lead, the Biloxi Shuckers (35-25) held on for a 7-6 victory over the Mississippi Braves (26-32) on Thursday night at Trustmark Park. With the win, the Shuckers stay one game back of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos heading into a five-games series against their divisional foe.
The Shuckers got to M-Braves LHP Kyle Muller (L, 4-2) early, plating two in the second inning on a sacrifice fly by Bruce Caldwell and a wild pitch from the tall lefty that allowed Cooper Hummel to race in and score. Biloxi added another two in the fourth after Trent Grisham drew a two-out walk and Jake Gatewood connected for a two-run blast to left, his fifth home run of the season, pushing the Shuckers out to a 4-0 advantage. Muller was chased from the game in the fifth after loading the bases with one out. LHP Jordan Harrison entered and allowed an RBI single to Patrick Leonard before Hummel grounded into a force out that delivered another run, putting Biloxi up 6-0.
RHP Bowden Francis (W, 2-4) took the early lead and ran with it, allowing just three baserunners in his first four innings of work. The lone mistake Francis made on the night came in the fifth, when he walked a pair of batters before allowing a three-run homer to Cristian Pache, his sixth of the season, cutting the Shuckers lead in half at 6-3.
Biloxi added another run in the top of the seventh on the third hit of the night by Leonard. Following two perfect innings from Cody Ponce, RHP Aaron Kurcz tossed one inning and allowed a home run to Ryan Casteel, his sixth of the season, bringing the M-Braves within three at 7-4. RHP Nate Griep (S, 13) entered in the ninth and ran into trouble, loading the bases with a pair of walks and a single. Drew Waters drew a walk with the bases loaded to force in a run and Riley Unroe bounced into a force out to score another run, cutting the Shuckers lead to just one run. Griep then induced a groundout to third from Casteel, sealing the victory for the Shuckers.
The Shuckers start a five-game series against Pensacola on Friday night at 6:35 pm. Biloxi will send RHP Alec Bettinger (3-4, 4.60) to the mound against Blue Wahoos LHP Bryan Sammons (0-0, 3.00). It's Saints Hall of Fame Night, where current and former New Orleans Saints Players will be at MGM Park. The Shuckers will also wear special Saints jerseys that will be auctioned off during the game. Plus, it's another Fireworks Friday, with a postgame fireworks display. The game can be heard locally in Biloxi on Cruisin' WGCM AM 1240/100.9 FM, TuneIn Radio or the MiLB First Pitch App and can be seen on MiLB.TV. Fans can save $10 off their subscription when they use the promo code 'Shuckers' at checkout.
Full Season Shuck Nation memberships, Weekender Shuck Nation memberships and Group Outings for the 2019 Biloxi Shuckers season are on sale now and are available for purchase by calling 228-233-3465, online at biloxishuckers.com or by visiting the MGM Park front office. Biloxi will host the 2019 Southern League All-Star Festivities, with a Home Run Derby on Monday, June 17 and the All-Star Game at 6:35 pm on Tuesday, June 18 at MGM Park. Tickets for 2019 All-Star Events are on sale now.
ABOUT THE BILOXI SHUCKERS:
The Biloxi Shuckers are the Double-A Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Shuckers play at MGM Park in Biloxi, Mississippi and will host the 2019 Southern League All-Star Game on June 18. For more information please visit biloxishuckers.com and follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.
