Mobile Downs Biloxi Despite Shuckers Slam

Gabirel Noriega's grand slam was not enough as the Biloxi Shuckers (45-33) fell to the Mobile BayBears (42-34) 9-5 on Friday night at MGM Park. Mobile collected 14 hits in the win.
The BayBears jumped to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first when Jack Kruger blasted a three-run home run to straightaway centerfield off starter LHP Kodi Medeiros (L, 5-4). Mobile tacked on an extra tally against Medeiros in the fourth, the lefty's final inning of work, when Brennon Lund singled home Riley Unroe.
RHP Cody Ponce allowed three runs in the first of his four relief innings. Jared Walsh homered off Ponce, and Luis Rengifo singled in a pair, but the righty settled down and allowed just one run during his final three frames.
RHP Jesus Castillo (W, 6-4) held the Shuckers scoreless through five, but the offense made their run in the bottom of the sixth. After a leadoff walk to Max McDowell, Corey Ray doubled in Biloxi's first run. Two outs and two baserunners later, Noriega stepped up and belted a 2-2 pitch to left field, a grand slam that brought the Shuckers within three. It was the third salami of the season for Biloxi, as Noriega followed in the footsteps of Wendell Rijo and Medeiros.
The slam chased Castillo from the game, but Mobile's bullpen shut down Biloxi's offense from that point on. RHP Ralston Cash (H, 1) and RHP Tyler Stevens (S, 4) combined to retire all ten of the batters they faced following Noriega's bomb to lock down a 9-5 victory.
The Shuckers present Margaritaville Night on Saturday at MGM Park, where fans can enjoy $5 Margaritas and $5 Cheeseburgers in Paradise. Arrive early for a pregame concert by Matt Hoggatt when the gates open at 5:30 PM, and The Fur Circus will be at the park as well. RHP Thomas Jankins (8-3, 4.44) duels Mobile's RHP Joe Gatto (1-3, 10.18) with first pitch at 6:35 PM CT.
The Biloxi Shuckers are the Double-A Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Shuckers play at MGM Park in Biloxi, Mississippi. For more information please visit biloxishuckers.com and follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.com. Playoff stips and single game tickets for the Biloxi Shuckers 2018 season are on sale now and can be purchased at the MGM Park box office or over the phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Season tickets, flex plans and group outings are also available and can be reserved by calling 228-233-3465 or visiting www.biloxishuckers.com.