Late Slam Stuns Shuckers

A go-ahead grand slam in the ninth inning helped the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (14-8) top the Biloxi Shuckers (9-13) 5-4 on Friday night at MGM Park.

Holding a 3-1 lead heading into the ninth inning, Biloxi turned to RHP Braden Webb (L, 1-1) for the second straight night. The righty issued a leadoff walk, struck out the next batter and allowed back-to-back singles, loading the bases for Peyton Burdick, who connected on a two-strike pitch for a grand slam, putting the Blue Wahoos ahead 5-3.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Chad Spanberger singled on a slow hopper to short and advanced to second on a throwing error by Devin Hairston. Tyler Friis followed with a single, his second hit of the night, putting men on the corners with no outs. RHP Colton Hock (S, 5) struck out the next batter and Tristen Lutz followed with a bouncing ball up the middle that was fielded by Hairston and flipped to second for a force out. Spanberger scored on the fielder’s choice, cutting the deficit to one, but Brice Turang flied out to end the game.

Biloxi jumped out to a lead in the first inning for a second straight night. Lutz reached on an error and Turang followed with a single before Lucas Erceg hit into a fielder’s choice, putting men on the corners. Payton Henry slapped a two-out single into right, driving home Lutz to put the Shuckers up 1-0.

Pensacola tied the game in the top of the second on a solo home run from Lazaro Alonso before the game went into a rain delay that lasted an hour and a half. When play resumed in the bottom of the second, Lutz singled up the middle with a runner on second to regain the lead for the Shuckers at 2-1.

Mitch Longo would add to the Shuckers lead in the bottom of the fourth inning with a solo home run, his second of the year, putting Biloxi ahead 3-1. A combination of RHP Peter Strzelecki, LHP Nathan Kirby and RHP Zach Vennaro tossed six scoreless innings for the Shuckers after RHP Noah Zavolas pitched the first two innings of the game.

Biloxi continues their series with the Blue Wahoos on Saturday night at MGM Park. The Shuckers are scheduled to send RHP Matt Hardy (1-1, 3.86) to the hill opposite LHP Will Stewart (0-1, 3.21) for a 6:35 pm first pitch. The game can be heard locally on Cruisin’ WGCM AM 1240/FM 100.9, online here or on the MiLB App. Fans can also watch the game on MiLB.TV and can save $10 on their subscription when they use the promo code “Shuckers.”

Individual tickets are on sale now for all 2021 Shuckers home games and promotions for May can be found here. Full Shuck Nation Membershipsand 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.