Valerio Delivers Fifth Walk-Off Win for Biloxi

Felix Valerio delivered a walk-off sacrifice fly in the ninth inning to give the Biloxi Shuckers (24-27) a 4-3 win over the Tennessee Smokies (30-23) on Wednesday night at MGM Park.

With the game square at 3-3 heading to the top of the ninth inning, RHP Zach Vennaro (W, 1-0) entered the game for the Shuckers, and after walking the leadoff batter, Vennaro struck out back-to-back hitters and worked around a two-out single to strand two men on base and keep the score level.

In the bottom of the ninth, Brent Diaz led off with a single and was replaced by Gabe Holt as a pinch runner. Holt stole second and advanced to third when Yeison Coca dropped down a sacrifice bunt and reached on a throwing error, putting men on the corners. Sal Frelick was intentionally walked, bringing up Valerio, who lifted the first pitch from RHP Kyle Johnson (L, 3-1) to left field, a flyout deep enough to score Holt and win the contest for the Shuckers.

Though he didn’t receive a decision, LHP Brandon Knarr was stellar for the Shuckers in his Double-A debut. The lone run he allowed came in the top of the second inning on a solo home run to Chase Strumpf, his 11th of the year, that gave the Smokies a 1-0 lead. Knarr surrendered five total hits and walked two while striking out eight over six frames.

Biloxi came back to tie the game in the bottom of the second inning when Thomas Dillard worked a lead-off walk and scored on a double from Cam Devanney.

The Shuckers took their first lead of the night in the home half of the fourth when Joey Wiemer started the inning with a solo homer to left, his 13th of the season, putting the Shuckers up 2-1. Dillard doubled in the ensuing at bat and two hitters later, Tristen Lutz plated Dillard with a double to left of his own, expanding Biloxi’s advantage to 3-1. The Smokies tied the game in the top of the seventh on a pair of doubles, a single and an RBI groundout.

With the series even at a game apiece, the Shuckers and Smokies continue their six-game set on Thursday night at MGM Park. RHP Noah Zavolas (0-1, 8.04) is set to take the hill for Biloxi against Tennessee RHP Max Bain (1-2, 7.16) 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.