Three Early Runs Enough for Shrimp to Top Biloxi

JACKSONVILLE, FL - The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (27-36) used three first-inning runs to defeat the Biloxi Shuckers (38-27) 3-2 on Tuesday afternoon at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
Cade Gotta started the bottom of the first with a single off RHP Trey Supak (L, 0-3) and stole second during Monte Harrison's at bat. Supak struck out the Jumbo Shrimp centerfielder before Isan Díaz doubled home Gotta, giving Jacksonville a 1-0 advantage. Peter O'Brien doubled to drive in Diaz and scored himself on a single by John Norwood. Supak settled in after the first, allowing just a pair of base runners on a walk and a single. In total, the righty tossed five innings, allowing three runs on five hits while walking two and striking out five. 
On the other side RHP Robert Dugger (W, 1-1) allowed just two base runners in the first four frames. Biloxi's first scoring chance came in the fifth when Trent Grisham singled and Mitch Ghelfi was hit by a pitch. Supak sacrificed the runners over, but Corey Ray struck out to end the Shuckers threat. 
Biloxi broke through in the sixth. Troy Stokes Jr. doubled and was driven in by Keston Hiura, his first RBI of the season, putting the Shuckers on the board at 3-1.Three batters later, Jake Hager doubled to left, bringing home Hiura to draw Biloxi within a run at 3-2. Hiura finished 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored, his fourth multi-hit effort in 11 games with the Shuckers.
Jacksonville's bullpen stymied the Shuckers in the final three frames. RHP Brett Graves (H, 2) tossed two perfect innings, and LHP Jeff Kinley (S, 2) picked up his second save of the year by hurling a 1-2-3 ninth.
The Shuckers return to MGM Park for the final five games of the first half starting on Wednesday night at 6:35 PM against the Mississippi Braves. Biloxi will send RHP Thomas Jankins (7-3, 5.02) to the mound for the series opener. On another All-You-Can Eat Wednesday, fans can purchase a $20 ticket to the All-You-Can-Eat buffet in the Community Bank Terrace that includes Papa John's Pizza, Murky Waters BBQ, hot dogs, hamburgers and more.
Single game tickets for the Biloxi Shuckers 2018 season are on sale now and can be purchased at the MGM Park box office or over the phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Season tickets, flex plans and group outings are also available and can be reserved by calling 228-233-3465 or visiting www.biloxishuckers.com.