Down 3-1 in the eighth inning, the Biloxi Shuckers (7-1) scored four runs to cap their second straight comeback and set a franchise record with their seventh consecutive win, a 5-4 victory over the Mississippi Braves (3-5) on Friday night at MGM Park. The Shuckers 7-1 start is the best
Down 3-1 in the eighth inning, the Biloxi Shuckers (7-1) scored four runs to cap their second straight comeback and set a franchise record with their seventh consecutive win, a 5-4 victory over the Mississippi Braves (3-5) on Friday night at MGM Park. The Shuckers 7-1 start is the best in the history of the franchise.
Mississippi took an early lead when they charged two runs to RHP Adrian Houser's stat line in the first. Tyler Neslony singled in Alay Lago and picked up a second RBI two innings later with a sacrifice fly. The Shuckers grabbed a run back in the second after Blake Allemand's leadoff double came around on a Dustin Houle groundout.
Houser and Braves' starter RHP Andres Santiago only tossed two and three innings respectively. LHP Kodi Medeiros settled in to retire 13 of his final 14 batters after allowing his only run on the sac fly by Neslony in the third. All told, he allowed two hits and struck out five over five innings of relief.
RHP Enderson Franco held the Shuckers in check with three scoreless relief innings as well. RHP Jon Olzcak (W, 1-0) provided a clean top of the eighth in his Double-A debut to set the table for the eighth inning rally with Biloxi trailing 3-1.
LHP Adam McCreery (L, 0-1) held the Shuckers without a run in the seventh and trotted back out for another frame. Pinch-hitter Dylan Moore started with a single. After Corey Ray reached on a fielder's choice, Troy Stokes Jr. singled and Lucas Erceg walked to load the bases. McCreery was lifted for RHP Jacob Webb (BS, 1) who promptly allowed a single to Nick Franklin to bring the Shuckers within a run. Jake Gatewood then sent a slow-roller to first base. Playing off the bag, first baseman Mike Snyder tried to come home and force out Ray, but the throw skipped to the backstop. Ray scored the tying run and, on the throwing error, Stokes Jr. hustled in to score from second to give Biloxi a 4-3 lead.
The Shuckers added what would become a crucial insurance run. Jake Hager lifted a fly ball to centerfield that crept back in towards the infield with the strong winds. Franklin decided to test Conner Lien's arm anyway. Although the throw beat Franklin, it was off-line, and the Shuckers led by two.
RHP Nate Griep (S, 5) came out for his third save opportunity in three nights. Snyder led off with a single, and a one-out knock by Luis Valenzuela brought him in from second. After a walk to Lien, Griep then struck out Reed and induced a fly out of Lago to strand the tying run at second.
The Shuckers look to make it eight straight on Saturday night at 6:35 PM CT when RHP Thomas Jankins (1-0, 0.00) takes his turn in the rotation against the M-Braves and starter LHP Ricardo Sánchez (NR). The Shuckers will honor the Biloxi Dodgers of the old Negro Southern League. Fans can enjoy a Biloxi Dodgers Shirsey giveaway while supplies last.
The Biloxi Shuckers are the Double-A Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Shuckers play at MGM Park in Biloxi, Mississippi. For more information please visit biloxishuckers.com and follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.com. Single game tickets for the Biloxi Shuckers 2018 season are on sale now and can be purchased at the MGM Park box office or over the phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Season tickets, flex plans and group outings are also available and can be reserved by calling 228-233-3465 or visiting www.biloxishuckers.com.
