Mississippi Strikes Back To Take Down Biloxi 6-5

The Biloxi Shuckers (36-34, 2-1 2nd Half) weathered 19 strikeouts from the Mississippi Braves (30-42, 1-2 2nd Half) and charged back late before falling 6-5 on Thursday night at MGM Park.

The M-Braves struck for a run in the first inning on a solo homer by C.J. Alexander. Biloxi replied with a solo homer of their own by Andruw Monasterio in the home half of the first, his second in two games, to tie the game at 1-1.

Mississippi was able to scratch across three runs against Shuckers’ LHP Nick Bennett (L, 3-7) on four hits, putting the M-Braves up 4-1. Joey Wiemer walked to start the bottom of the third and raced in to score on a wall-banging double from Felix Valerio, drawing Biloxi within a pair at 4-2. RHP Freddy Tarnok (W, 2-2) finished his night by retiring the final seven batters he faced, all on strikeouts, part of a 12-strikeout game by the righty.

In the top of the fifth, Mississippi put across another pair of runs on three singles, widening their lead to 6-2. RHP T.J. Shook entered for Biloxi in the top of the sixth and tossed four scoreless frames, allowing just two hits without issuing a walk while striking out five.

One big blast pulled the Shuckers back within striking distance in the home half of the eighth. Monasterio led off the frame with a single and Wiemer followed with a single of his own. Following a sharp lineout by Thomas Dillard, Jakson Reetz stepped to the plate and launched a three-run homer to right field, his league-leading 17th home run of the year, pulling the Shuckers within a run at 6-5. The rally would fall short as RHP Tyler Ferguson (S, 2) sat the side down in order for the M-Braves in the last of the ninth. In total, the Shuckers struck out 19 times on Thursday night, a new single-game franchise record.

Still leading two games to one, the Shuckers continue their six-game series against the M-Braves on Friday night at MGM Park. LHP Brandon Knarr (0-0, 4.05) is set to start for Biloxi opposite Mississippi RHP Darius Vines (3-4, 5.45) for a 6:35 pm first pitch. The game can be seen on MiLB.TV and heard locally on WGCM AM 1240/FM 100.9 or online here. Individual tickets, Shuck Nation Memberships, Flex Plans and group outings are available for the 2022 season by calling (228) 233-3465 or visiting biloxishuckers.com.

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 MGM Park in Biloxi, Mississippi. For more information please visit biloxishuckers.comand follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.