Independence Day Battle Ends In Blue Wahoos Walk Off

After falling behind 3-0 early, the Biloxi Shuckers (16-37) battled back to force extra innings but ultimately fell 5-4 in 10 innings to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (33-21) on Sunday evening at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

Tied at 3-3 in the top of the tenth, Luis Castro was placed at second as the bonus runner for Biloxi and advanced third on a wild pitch. Alexander Palma drew a walk against RHP Andrew McInvale (W, 1-0) to start the frame and after a pop out for the first out, Gabriel Garcia also worked a walk to load up the bases. With the defense drawn in, Jesus Lujano bounced a single through the right side, driving in Castro to give Biloxi their first lead of the game at 4-3. It was the fourth hit of the night for Lujano, tying a career high for the Shuckers’ outfielder.

RHP Robbie Hitt (L, 0-1) came out to pitch in the bottom of the frame and loaded the bases on a hit by pitch and a walk, bringing up Victor Victor Mesa with no outs. The outfielder for the Wahoos hit a sacrifice fly to center, tying the game at 4-4. After an intentional walk loaded the bases again, Nick Lovullo hit into a fielder’s choice with the Shuckers getting the force out at home. Hitt then delivered two strikes to Riley Mahan but ended up issuing a walk to force in the winning run, giving Pensacola a 5-4 victory over the Shuckers.

RHP Lucas Erceg opened the game for Biloxi and after allowing a leadoff double retired the next six batters he faced. LHP Nick Bennett entered in the third and ran into early trouble as he loaded the bases on two walks and a single with only one out. J.J. Bleday started the scoring with a two-RBI double to center, putting Pensacola ahead 2-0, and Nick Fortes capped the frame with a single up the middle, giving the Blue Wahoos a 3-0 advantage.

RHP Max Meyer yet again kept the Shuckers’ offense from scoring, tossing five scoreless frames against Biloxi. The righty has now made four scoreless starts against the Shuckers this season.

After Meyer departed in the sixth, the Shuckers wasted no time getting to the Blue Wahoos’ bullpen. Castro doubled to start the frame and Palma followed with a two-run homer to left, his fourth of the year, to draw the Shuckers within a run at 3-2.

Palma would be instrumental in squaring the contest in the top of the seventh. With two outs in the inning, Brice Turang worked a walk and Castro was hit by a pitch, putting two men on for Palma. The Shuckers designated hitter bounced a single up the middle, driving in Turang easily to tie the game at 3-3. It was part of a three-hit game for Palma, who reached base safely four times for the Shuckers.

RHP Peter Strzelecki turned in 2.2 scoreless innings of relief for the Shuckers and Hitt entered with two outs in the ninth to record the last out and send the game to extras.

After a day off on Monday, the Shuckers return to MGM Park to start a six-game series with the Birmingham Barons on Tuesday night. RHP Jesus Castillo (0-3, 8.00) is set to take the mound in the opener for the Shuckers against Barons’ RHP John Parke (1-3, 4.28) for a 6:35 pm first pitch. The game can be heard locally on Cruisin’ WGCM AM 1240/FM 100.9 and can be streamed on MiLB TV.

Individual tickets are on sale now for all 2021 Shuckers home games and promotions for July can be found here. Full Shuck Nation Memberships and Half Shell Shuck Nation Memberships, flex plans and group outings are available by calling 228-233-3465 and selecting Option 3.

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 are members of the Double-A South. For more information, please visit biloxishuckers.comand follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.