Five Multi-Hit Performances Power Biloxi to Doubleheader Split with Smokies

KODAK, TN – With five multi-hit performances between the two games, the Biloxi Shuckers (13-11) split a doubleheader with the Tennessee Smokies (12-11) at Smokies Stadium on Thursday night. The Shuckers fell, 5-3 in game one but earned the split with a 7-5 win in game two. The split continued Biloxi’s undefeated streak in doubleheaders against the Smokies, with four splits and three sweeps in franchise history. Mike Boeve collected two multi-hit performances, including three in game one.

In game one, Boeve drove a double to left in his first plate appearance against Smokies’ starter Kyle Hendricks, on a rehab assignment from the Chicago Cubs. On the mound for Biloxi, starter TJ Shook retired the first nine batters he faced over three shutout innings. Hendricks, however, matched him for the Smokies, working around three singles for three scoreless frames with four strikeouts.

In the fourth, the Smokies struck first with a two-RBI single from Matt Shaw. Three batters later, the Smokies extended their lead to 4-0 on a two-RBI single from Pablo Aliendo. They extended their lead to 5-0 in the fifth with a solo shot from Ezequiel Pagan. The Shuckers struck back with two runs in the sixth off a sacrifice fly from Ethan Murray and an RBI single from Zavier Warren, making it 5-2. With a walk from Darrien Miller and a single from Mike Boeve in the seventh, his third hit of the game, the Shuckers brought up the tying run in Ernesto Martinez Jr. He singled into right, bringing home Miller and making it a 5-3 game, but Zac Leigh finished off game one with a strikeout for the Smokies. Shook (1-3) took the loss despite recording five innings for his third straight start. Hendricks (1-0) took the win after seven strikeouts over five-plus innings.

In game two, the Shuckers struck first in the third on a sacrifice fly from Justin Dirden, scoring Carlos Rodriguez from third and giving Biloxi a 1-0 lead. The Smokies took the lead in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI single from Matt Shaw, an RBI double from James Triantos and a sacrifice fly from Christian Franklin, making it 3-1.

Biloxi then scored six unanswered over the next three innings. Lamar Sparks’ first home run of the year in the fourth cut the deficit to 3-2 and Biloxi used three bases-loaded walks and a balk in the fifth to score four times and take a 6-3 lead. They extended the lead to 7-3 in the sixth when Justin Dirden lined the Shuckers’ ninth triple of the year to right-center, the most in the Southern League, and Andy Yerzy lifted a deep sacrifice fly to center.

In the seventh, the Smokies struck twice with a two-RBI double from Matt Shaw, but Sam Gardner dialed up a fastball to 96 MPH for a game-ending strikeout, giving Biloxi a 7-5 win. Kaleb Bowman (1-0) earned the win after tying his Minor League Baseball career-high with three shutout innings. Jake Reindl (3-1) took the loss for Tennessee.

In the doubleheader, Mike Boeve (5-for-9), Carlos Rodriguez (4-for-8), Justin Dirden (3-for-7), Ernesto Martinez Jr. (3-for-8) and Zavier Warren (3-for-6) all tallied multiple hits. Dirden, Boeve, Rodriguez and Warren all tallied a multi-hit performance in at least one game, with Boeve collecting one in both ends of the doubleheader.

The Shuckers will continue the series on Friday at Smokies Stadium in Brett Wichrowski’s Double-A debut for the Shuckers in his fifth professional appearance. Chris Kachmar (0-0, 4.05) is set to start for the Smokies. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT. Fans can listen live on Biloxi Shuckers Radio Network with pregame coverage beginning at 5:40 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.