Blalock Extends Shutout Streak to 17 Innings, Shuckers Win Sixth Straight

BILOXI, MS – Bradley Blalock continued his dominant start to the 2024 season with six shutout innings, extending his shutout streak to 17 consecutive innings and leading the Biloxi Shuckers (8-4) to a 4-0 shutout win over the Chattanooga Lookouts (3-8) at Shuckers Ballpark on Thursday night. The win was Biloxi’s sixth straight and the pitching staff lowered their team ERA to 1.81 in the shutout win. The staff also needed 98 pitches to complete the shutout, the lowest total for the Shuckers staff since August 25, 2023, against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and the second time the staff had under 100 pitches in a nine-inning game since the start of the 2021 season.

Blalock started at a torrid pace, retiring the first six batters before using a double play and flout to strand a lead-off walk in the third.

At the plate, Biloxi scored first in the third after Ethan Murray walked and was moved to third on a groundout and Zavier Warren single. Freddy Zamora then lifted a ball into short left-center that scored Murray from third with a sacrifice fly, giving Biloxi a 1-0 lead. In the fifth, Ernesto Martinez Jr. lifted a 449-foot, two-run home run to right-center that cleared the splash pad, giving Biloxi a 3-0 lead.

Blalock finished his night after six scoreless innings and 63 pitches. The Shuckers’ bullpen then continued their run of dominance with three perfect innings. Sam Gardner tossed scoreless innings with five strikeouts and Justin King tossed a scoreless ninth with two strikeouts. Over the six-game win streak, the Shuckers bullpen has a Double-A best 0.36 ERA, allowing one earned run in 25.0 innings.

Blalock (3-0) earned the win while Benschoter (0-2) took the loss for Chattanooga.

Tyler Woessner (0-0, 0.90) gets the start for Biloxi on Friday against Julian Aguilar (1-1, 2.00) for the Lookouts. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Fans can join the Shuckers for the best fireworks show on the Coast with a Fireworks Friday presented by AARP Mississippi following the final out. The Shuckers will also roll out the red carpet for Biloxi Southern Negro League Night in celebration of Biloxi's baseball history. Former Biloxi Southern Negro League players will be on hand for the game. Fans can listen live on Biloxi Shuckers Radio Network with pregame coverage beginning at 6:15 p.m. from the Ground Zero Blues Club Broadcast Booth.

Fans can save up to 50% off day-of-game pricing by securing their 2024 Shuck Nation membership today. Shuck Nation memberships, Flex Plans and group outings are available now by visiting biloxishuckers.com, the ballpark offices and by calling (228) 233-3465. Fans can also receive more information regarding the full promotion schedule and single-game tickets on the Shuckers website.

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 Shuckers Ballpark in Biloxi, Mississippi. For more information please visit biloxishuckers.com and follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.

ABOUT SHUCKERS BASEBALL, LLC:

Shuckers Baseball, LLC is a MS entity owned and operated by John Tracy. Shuckers Baseball operates the Biloxi Shuckers baseball franchise, including operating MGM Park for Biloxi Shuckers minor league baseball games and other entertainment and recreational events.