Slim Lead Holds As Shuckers Top Jumbo Shrimp

JACKSONVILLE, FL - The Biloxi Shuckers (61-39, 20-10 2nd Half) jockeyed for the lead in the first third of Monday's series opener with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (47-53, 18-12 2nd Half) and held on for a 3-2 win at The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Holding Jacksonville scoreless in eight of their nine innings, a strong effort on the mound extended the Shuckers franchise-best winning streak to ten games.
Both sides scored runs in the second inning with C.J. Hinojosa opening the scoring with a solo home run off of Josh Roeder (L, 1-3). The blast was Hinojosa's fifth of the season and extended his hitting streak to 14 games. Trey Supak (W, 11-4) worked a scoreless first, but was tagged for a pair of runs after surrendering a single to Lazaro Alonso and a walk to J.C. Millan to open the second. Corey Bird singled both runners into scoring position before Rodrigo Vigil tied the game on a fielder's choice and Roeder dropped a sac bunt, scoring Millan for a 2-1 lead. 
Seven men stepped to the plate in the third inning for Biloxi as the bulk of the order regained a second lead. Bruce Caldwell doubled to leadoff and Dillon Thomas walked with one out to put two aboard for Weston Wilson. Wilson drilled a single to tie the game back up at 2-2 and Cooper Hummel followed with a walk. With the bases loaded, Hinojosa flied to center field and scored Thomas from third for a 3-2 advantage.
After his one turbulent inning, Supak cruised the rest of the way, retiring ten hitters in a row before allowing a pair of singles in the sixth and being replaced by Cody Ponce (H, 7). Ponce struck out Bird to strand runners on the corners, closing the line for Supak and keeping the 3-2 lead intact. 
Ponce pitched through the seventh, stranding two more runners, while Clayton Andrews (H, 2) worked a quick 1-2-3 eighth inning. Still leading 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth, Devin Williams (S, 4) worked around a two-out single and struck out Justin Twine to close the game and earn his fourth save.   
The Shuckers continue the series in Jacksonville on Tuesday with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 pm CT. The Shuckers will send RHP Drew Rasmussen (1-2, 4.15) to the mound and the Jumbo Shrimp will throw RHP Sixto Sanchez (5-4, 3.52). 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.