M-Braves Top Shuckers in Extras, but Magic Number Reduced to One

The Biloxi Shuckers (39-28) fell 5-4 in extra innings to the Mississippi Braves (28-39) on Thursday night at MGM Park. Despite the loss, the Shuckers magic number to clinch the South Division first half title is now one thanks to Mobile's 4-2 loss in Pensacola.
Biloxi took an early lead on RHP Touki Toussaint with three runs in the first two innings. Jake Gatewood shot an opposite field two-run home run in the first to start the scoring, his league-leading 13th of the year. Biloxi added a run in the second on a double play ball to take a 3-0 lead. Toussaint settled in shortly after and did not allow a hit beyond the third. He tied a season high with ten strikeouts over seven innings in a quality start.
The M-Braves' offense picked up their starter by matching Biloxi's three runs with three of their own in the middle innings. Luis Valenzuela and Luis Marté pelted back-to-back RBI-doubles in the fourth, the only runs allowed by starter RHP Luis Ortiz. Travis Demeritte tied the game with a run-scoring knock of his own in the fifth off RHP Cody Ponce.
The two teams traded late runs in the exciting back-and-forth affair. Tyler Marlette roped an opposite field single in the seventh, scoring Tyler Neslony. Down 4-3, the Shuckers tied the game on a two-out eighth inning single from Lucas Erceg to plate Troy Stokes Jr. LHP Nick Ramirez set down all seven M-Braves he faced to help send the game to extra innings.
Mississippi plated their bonus runner off RHP Jon Olczak (L, 3-2) in the top of the tenth on a two-out single from Daniel Lockhart. Stokes Jr. started the bottom of the frame at second and moved to third with Keston Hiura's groundout to the right side. LHP Corbin Clouse (S, 1) struck out Gatewood before Erceg bounced out to second to end the game. Despite blowing a save opportunity in the eighth, RHP Kelvin Vasquez (W, 3-0) tossed two innings to pick up the win.
The Shuckers will look to earn a division title with a win on Friday night at MGM Park on Saints Hall-of-Fame Night. RHP Zack Brown (5-0, 2.83) gets the ball for Biloxi, opposing RHP Bryse Wilson (1-3, 6.42). It's also another Fireworks Friday, with gates opening at 5:30 PM for a 6:35 PM first pitch.
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.