Shuckers Enter First-Place Tie With Runaway Win Over Braves

A five-run ninth inning lopsided the series opener in Pearl as the Biloxi Shuckers (32-24) cruised to a 9-1 victory over the Mississippi Braves (25-29) Sunday at Trustmark Park. Trent Grisham jumped the yard for the third time in as many games and a two-inning save opportunity earned Nate Griep (S, 12) the 100th save of his career.   
The M-Braves offense was stymied by the early control from Alec Bettinger (W, 3-4) on the mound, who struck out five and retired 12 in a row after surrendering a leadoff walk to Connor Lien in the bottom of the first. Biloxi struck for the first time in the third when Max McDowell led off with a double and scored on a sacrifice fly from Luis Aviles Jr.
Joantgel Segovia handed Joey Wentz (L, 2-5) more trouble in the fifth with a leadoff double and Aviles walked with two outs to extend the frame. Grisham then barreled a 404-foot homer over the right field wall, his ninth of the season, to grab a 4-0 lead. Bettinger surrendered his lone run on a Daniel Lockhart grounder in the fifth, working through six and striking out nine to earn his third win of the season. 
With sights set on touching the century mark, Griep entered on in the eighth and worked around a two-out double from Tyler Neslony to hold the 4-1 advantage. Tensions were eased in the ninth thanks to a five-run explosion against Claudio Custodio. Patrick Leonard double, Weston Wilson reached on a dropped third strike and Dillon Thomas scored the first of five with another two-bagger. Segovia made it a 7-1 game, clearing the bases with a single while McDowell and Griep proceeded to draw consecutive walks and load the bags with no one out. Aviles singled in Segovia and Grisham plated his fourth run with a sacrifice fly to cap the score at 9-1. 
After 10 batters stepped to the plate, Griep strolled back to the mound, worked a 4-6-3 double play and stranded two runners aboard after Christian Pache rolled to first and end the game. The win coupled with a Pensacola loss moves the Shuckers into a first-place tie with Pensacola in the South Division entering Monday.    
The Shuckers continue their series with the M-Braves on Monday with a 6:35 pm first pitch. Biloxi will send RHP Johan Belisario (4-0, 2.61) to the mound and Mississippi will throw LHP Tucker Davidson (2-3, 1.49). 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.