MOBILE, AL - The Biloxi Shuckers (57-39, 16-10 2nd half) hit a pair of home runs and scored seven combined runs over the sixth and seventh innings on Thursday night to top the Mobile BayBears (40-54, 13-13 2nd Half) 7-2 in the opener of the final regular season series at
MOBILE, AL - The Biloxi Shuckers (57-39, 16-10 2nd half) hit a pair of home runs and scored seven combined runs over the sixth and seventh innings on Thursday night to top the Mobile BayBears (40-54, 13-13 2nd Half) 7-2 in the opener of the final regular season series at Hank Aaron Stadium. The three-hour and 25-minute contest was opened with a historical triple play before the Biloxi offense charged ahead with their seven unanswered runs.
RHP Drew Rasmussen got the start for Biloxi and scuffled in his first inning allowing the first four batters to reach. The BayBears quickly loaded the bases on a Jo Adell single, Brandon Marsh walk and Jahmai Jones base hit. Catcher Jack Kruger ripped a single to center to score two runs and hand Biloxi an early 2-0 deficit. Pressing for an out with runners on the corners, Rasmussen struck out Johan Urena with a fastball while Kruger broke for second base. Max McDowell threw down to second where Bruce Caldwell applied the tag for the out and then fired back to McDowell at the plate to catch Jones sliding in. With the strikeout, caught stealing and 6-2 putout, the Shuckers escaped the inning by turning the first triple play in franchise history.
Rasmussen managed to strand the bases loaded in the second inning before seeing his night come to a close. RHP Tyler Spurlin pitched the third and left two runners on base after a pair of walks and a hit batter.
Mobile starting pitcher RHP Andrew Wantz worked five scoreless innings and struck out five before turning the game over to the bullpen with the Shuckers still in a 2-0 hole. Leading off in the sixth, Dillon Thomas greeted RHP Brett Hanewich (L, 0-4) to the game with a solo home run to left-center field to end the scoring drought. Weston Wilson and Jake Gatewood drew consecutive walks after the home run and C.J. Hinojosa followed with a line shot off the leg of Hanewich to tie the game at 2-2. Hanewich was removed from the game following the comebacker and with new arm RHP Adam Hofacket in the game, Joantgel Segovia dropped a bunt single down the first-base line scoring Gatewood for a 3-2 lead.
Patrick Leonard and Thomas helped spark another big rally with consecutive singles to open the seventh against Hofacket. With two in scoring position, Gatewood plated Leonard with a sacrifice fly to make it 4-2. Wilson walked in the next at bat and quickly broke for second base after reaching. Kruger's throw hopped into center and allowed Thomas to score to push the lead up to 5-2. In a two-strike count, Hinojosa launched a ball over the left-center field wall for his fourth homer of the season to break the game open at 7-2.
LHP Cameron Roegner (W, 3-3) was the stopper on the mound Thursday night, coming on in the fourth and tossing five shutout innings while walking one and striking out five. LHP Daniel Brown entered from the bullpen with a five-run lead in the ninth but walked three hitters and allowed a single before being replace by RHP Devin Williams (S, 3). Inheriting the bases loaded, Williams struck out both hitters he faced to earn his third save of the season and secure the 7-3 victory.
The Shuckers continue their series with the BayBears on Friday with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm. The Shuckers will send RHP Alec Bettinger (4-5, 3.39) to the mound and Mobile will throw RHP Tyler Carpenter (1-0, 2.67). 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.
