Shuckers Slam Their Way To Seventh Straight Win
A grand slam by Brent Diaz helped propel the Biloxi Shuckers (7-0) to a 7-3 victory over the Mississippi Braves (1-6) on Friday night at MGM Park. The 7-0 start is the best start in Shuckers’ franchise history, and Biloxi is one of just two teams in Minor League Baseball
A grand slam by Brent Diaz helped propel the Biloxi Shuckers (7-0) to a 7-3 victory over the Mississippi Braves (1-6) on Friday night at MGM Park. The 7-0 start is the best start in Shuckers’ franchise history, and Biloxi is one of just two teams in Minor League Baseball that is still undefeated.
Biloxi jumped out to a lead in the bottom of the first. Felix Valerio worked a walk and advanced to second on a single from Joey Wiemer. Two batters later, Ashton McGee lashed a single to left, his first Double-A hit, to drive home Valerio and put Biloxi up 1-0.
An error by the M-Braves helped set the stage for a big inning in the bottom of the third. Garrett Mitchell started the frame with a walk and Valerio reached on a throwing error by C.J. Alexander. Mitchell was caught attempting to steal third before Wiemer flied out, giving the Shuckers two outs in the frame. After a Thomas Dillard single, Valerio came in to score on a wild pitch before McGee and Lutz worked back-to-back walks, loading the bases for Diaz. The designated hitter unloaded on the first pitch from RHP Darius Vines (L, 0-1), launching a grand slam to left field, his second homer of the season, to open the Shuckers’ advantage up to 6-0.
RHP Tyler Herb got the start for the Shuckers and didn’t allow a run through his first three frames. Mississippi scratched across a run in the fourth before Herb ran into trouble in the fifth when he allowed two doubles and a single that drove in another run, pulling the M-Braves within four at 6-2. RHP Luis Contreras (W, 1-0) entered and struck out the next two hitters before loading the bases with a hit by pitch. The righty induced a flyout from Alexander though to leave the bags full and preserve the Shuckers’ lead.
Biloxi added their last run in the bottom of the sixth when Diaz was hit by a pitch and ultimately came in to score on a wild pitch. RHP Harold Chirino tossed a scoreless frame and RHP Lucas Erceg handled the ninth, allowing one run while striking out the side to finish off the victory.
With a second straight series victory secured, the Shuckers continue their series against the M-Braves on Saturday night at MGM Park. RHP Victor Castaneda (0-0, 1.93) takes the mound for the Shuckers against LHP Jared Shuster (1-0, 1.80) for a 6:35 pm first pitch. The game can be seen on MiLB.TV and heard locally on WGCM AM 1240/FM 100.9 or online here. Individual tickets, Shuck Nation Memberships, Flex Plans and group outings are available for the 2022 season by calling (228) 233-3465 or visiting biloxishuckers.com.
ABOUT THE BILOXI SHUCKERS:
The Biloxi Shuckers are the Double-A Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Shuckers are members of the Southern League and play at MGM Park in Biloxi, Mississippi. For more information please visit biloxishuckers.comand follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.