Shuckers Falter To Generals In Series-Opening Loss

First half title hopes for the Biloxi Shuckers (40-26) were put on hold Wednesday night following a series-opening 5-1 loss to the Jackson Generals (36-30) at The Ballpark at Jackson. The defense slipped to commit four errors in the game while the offense encountered stingy starting pitching and was held quiet until the eighth. 
Jake Gatewood and Patrick Leonard developed an early scoring chance in the first with a pair of two-out singles against Bryan Valdez (W,3-2) but were stranded following a Weston Wilson groundout. Biloxi's starter Alec Bettinger (L,4-5) managed to strand two runners in scoring position during the second but was tagged for an unearned run in the third. Daulton Varsho doubled and scored on a dropped pop fly with two outs by Luis Aviles Jr. to make it a 1-0 game. 
Ben Deluzio singled to lead off the fifth and Pavin Smith added on with an RBI groundout for the first earned run against Bettinger on the night. In the next at bat, Drew Ellis doubled in Smith to make it a 3-0 game while also ending the outing for Bettinger as Marcos Diplan took over from the bullpen. Diplan slowed the Jackson rally and proceeded to toss 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing just a hit and striking out four. 
Despite allowing seven hits, Valdez worked seven scoreless innings for the Generals before the Shuckers finally inked a run in the eighth against the left-hander. Trent Grisham led off with a double and two batters later, Patrick Leonard ripped a two-bagger, cutting the deficit to 3-1. Leonard finished the game 2-for-4 at the plate, extending his season-high hitting streak to 14 games. 
Jackson responded in the home-half of the eighth and jumped to their largest lead of the game against Nattino Diplan. Jamie Westbrook led off with a single and was tripled home by Ramon Hernandez. Diplan then uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Hernandez to score from third and capping the score at 5-1. 
The loss coupled with a Pensacola win slims Biloxi's division lead to three games over the South Division with four games remaining on the first-half schedule.        
The Shuckers continue their five games against the Jackson Generals on Thursday at 6:05 pm CT. Both starting pitchers are still to be announced for game two of the series. 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.