PEARL, MS - The Biloxi Shuckers (48-36) got seven strong innings from their starter and used six early runs to take down the Mississippi Braves (35-50) 7-4 on Friday night at Trustmark Park.LHP Kodi Medeiros (W, 6-4) recovered from hitting the first batter he faced and retired the next 13 men
PEARL, MS - The Biloxi Shuckers (48-36) got seven strong innings from their starter and used six early runs to take down the Mississippi Braves (35-50) 7-4 on Friday night at Trustmark Park.
LHP Kodi Medeiros (W, 6-4) recovered from hitting the first batter he faced and retired the next 13 men that he faced in order. The lefty spun 4.2 hitless innings en route to his fourth quality start of the year.
Biloxi's offense gave Medeiros some breathing room in the second inning. Lucas Erceg drew a walk from LHP Tyler Pike (L, 0-2) and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Luis Aviles Jr. Jr. rifled a single to center, scoring Erceg to give Biloxi a 1-0 lead. The Shuckers would add another run in the third thanks to Corey Ray, who singled, stole second, moved to third on a groundout and scored on a wild pitch. It was Ray's 21st stolen base of the season, the most in the Southern League.
The big inning for Biloxi came in the fourth. Erceg and Max McDowell each walked to start the frame before Trent Grisham delivered and RBI knock to right, making it 3-0. Aviles kept the line rolling with a double down the left field line, scoring a pair to stretch the Shuckers advantage to 5-0. Troy Stokes Jr. finished the rally with an RBI single to left, pushing Biloxi to a 6-0 lead. Stokes extended his on-base streak to 14 games, going 2-for-4 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored.
Mississippi broke up Medeiros' no-hit bid in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a single to center by Carlos Martínez. Luis Marté reached on a feeble groundball, and both runners scored on a double to the right field gap by Alejandro Salzar, putting the M-Braves on the board. Medeiros allowed just two more base runners in his final pair of frames, finishing the night with just two earned runs allowed in seven innings of work with walking one and striking out six.
The Shuckers tacked on a run in the top of the seventh thanks to a sacrifice fly by McDowell, but saw Mississippi creep closer in the bottom of the eighth when the M-Braves scored a pair of runs, closing the gap to 7-4. RHP Nate Griep (S, 24) locked down the victory for Biloxi, allowing just a two-out walk in the ninth.
A quick four-game series at Trustmark Park concludes on Saturday night at 6 PM. LHP Wade Miley (1-2, 4.22) is scheduled to make another rehab appearance from Biloxi against RHP Kyle Wright (5-7, 4.18). The game can be heard locally on Cruisin' WGCM AM 1240/ FM 100.9, TuneIn Radio or the MiLB First Pitch App.
Single game tickets for the Biloxi Shuckers 2018 season can be purchased at the MGM Park box office or over the phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Playoff strips, half-season tickets, flex plans and group outings are also available and can be reserved by calling 228-233-3465 or visiting www.biloxishuckers.com.
