Cooper Hummel delivered a go-ahead homer for the Biloxi Shuckers (5-4) as part of a 5-3 win over the Montgomery Biscuits (4-4) on Saturday at Riverwalk Stadium.Batting with one out in the eighth against RHP Jose Disla (L, 0-2), Patrick Leonard drew a walk, bringing Hummel to the plate. Batting
Cooper Hummel delivered a go-ahead homer for the Biloxi Shuckers (5-4) as part of a 5-3 win over the Montgomery Biscuits (4-4) on Saturday at Riverwalk Stadium.
Batting with one out in the eighth against RHP Jose Disla (L, 0-2), Patrick Leonard drew a walk, bringing Hummel to the plate. Batting from the left side, the switch hitter cranked a no doubter over the right field wall, his second home run of the season, to put Biloxi in front for good. RHP Aaron Kurcz (W, 1-0) came out for his second inning of work in the bottom of the eighth and surrendered a one-out walk to Kevin Padlo. The Biscuits ran into an out, though, when Padlo attempted to steal second on a pop out to right by Jermaine Palacios. Hummel secured the catch in shallow right field and fired a strike to Leonard at first base, doubling up Padlo to end the frame.
RHP Nate Greip (S, 3) allowed a pair of base runners in the bottom of the ninth on a single and a walk but struck out Jesús Sánchez for the last out of the game. The save is Griep's league-leading third of the season and 37th all-time with the Shuckers.
Biloxi got on the board in the second without recording a hit. Facing opener LHP Dalton Moats, four consecutive Shuckers batters drew walks, forcing in a run to put Biloxi up 1-0. Michael O'Neill reached on an RBI fielders' choice, pushing home another run to make it 2-0.
Though he didn't factor into the decision, RHP Thomas Jankins pitched an effective game. The righty allowed his first run in the fourth after a fielding error and an RBI single by Brendan McKay. Despite another fielding error in the frame, Jankins limited the Biscuits to a singular run in the fourth.
The Shuckers added on a run in the top of the sixth thanks to the heart of the lineup. Weston Wilson smashed a one-out double into the left field corner and scored on a single to right by Leonard. Biloxi loaded the bases but was unable to put across another run.
Jankins came out to pitch the sixth but walked Sanchez and gave up a single to McKay. RHP Nattino Diplan came in to relieve Jankins and allowed a two-RBI double to Rene Pinto that knotted the game at 3-3. Diplan stranded the bases loaded, inducing a groundout from Josh Lowe to end the frame.
Biloxi can win their series against the Biscuits in a rubber match on Sunday afternoon. The Shuckers are scheduled to send RHP Alec Bettinger (0-0, 5.40) to the mound against Montgomery RHP Ricardo Pinto (0-1, 14.73). The game can be heard locally on Cruisin' WGCM AM 1240/100.9 FM, TuneIn Radio or the MiLB First Pitch App.
Full Season Shuck Nation memberships, Weekender Shuck Nation memberships 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. Biloxi will host the 2019 Southern League All-Star Festivities, with a Home Run Derby on Monday, June 17 and the All-Star Game at 6:35 pm on Tuesday, June 18 at MGM Park. Tickets for 2019 All-Star Events 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 and will host the 2019 Southern League All-Star Game on June 18. For more information please visit biloxishuckers.com and follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.
