JACKSONVILLE, FL - After rain washed away Wednesday's action, the Biloxi Shuckers (62-41, 21-12 2nd half) and Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (49-54, 20-13 2nd half) resumed their five-game series with a doubleheader at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville on Thursday night. Both sides benefited from a strong starting pitching performance on
JACKSONVILLE, FL - After rain washed away Wednesday's action, the Biloxi Shuckers (62-41, 21-12 2nd half) and Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (49-54, 20-13 2nd half) resumed their five-game series with a doubleheader at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville on Thursday night. Both sides benefited from a strong starting pitching performance on the evening, with the Shuckers grabbing game one 6-1 but falling in game two by a 3-1 final.
GAME ONE
Alec Bettinger (W, 5-5) opened his stellar night on the mound by retiring five batters in a row and striking out four. With two outs in the second inning, Corey Bird singled and stole second base and Anfernee Seymour drove him in with an RBI base hit for a 1-0 Jumbo Shrimp lead.
The Shuckers quickly rebounded with their own two-out rally in the third inning after Edward Cabrera (L, 3-1) struck out Max McDowell and Bettinger. Joantgel Segovia hustled out a bunt single, Bruce Caldwell walked and Patrick Leonard ripped a laser three-run homer over the left-field wall for a 3-1 advantage.
Seated with the lead, Bettinger worked around a leadoff triple by Bryson Brigman in the bottom of the third and allowed just one base runner the rest of the game with a walk to J.C. Millan in the fifth. Biloxi's right hander went the distance, completing seven innings for the second complete game of his career while allowing just three hits and striking out nine.
Sparking another three-run frame, Weston Wilson hit a solo home run to leadoff the seventh inning and make it 4-1. The homer was the 14th of the season and his tenth against the Jumbo Shrimp. Max McDowell followed with a one-out walk, Bettinger doubled, and both runners scored on a wild pitch and throwing error to cap the score at 6-1.
GAME TWO
Following a 30-minute intermission, the story on the mound flipped to Jacksonville right-hander Kolton Mahoney (W, 4-0). Mahoney allowed just one hit and struck out six over his first four innings on the mound.
Daniel Brown was tabbed for his first start of the season and worked around trouble in the second, getting Riley Mahan to lineout and strand the bases loaded. Tyler Spurlin (L, 1-1) took over for Brown in the third and walked the first two batters he faced before Stone Garrett broke up the scoreless tie with a single. Spurlin recovered by recording a pair of outs but then allowed a two-run single to Seymour for a 3-0 Jacksonville advantage.
Mohoney tossed scoreless ball through the sixth, striking out eight in total before turning the game over to Tyler Stevens (S, 2) in the seventh. With one out, Jake Gatewood socked a solo home run to left but the swing proved too little too late as Segovia and Caldwell were retired to close a 3-1 defeat.
The Shuckers conclude their series in Jacksonville on Friday with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 pm CT. The Shuckers will send RHP Dylan File (5-1, 3.63) to the mound and the Jumbo Shrimp will throw LHP Daniel Castano (3-1, 4.43). 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.
Half-Season Shuck Nation Memberships, Flex Plans 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. The Biloxi Shuckers will host Game 1 and Game 2 of the South Division Championship Series on September 4 & 5 at MGM Park. Tickets for all six potential playoff games at MGM Park 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. For more information please visit biloxishuckers.com and follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.
