Shuckers Clinch First-Half Title and Playoff Berth

JACKSON, TN - Despite a 5-4 loss to the Jackson Generals (37-30) at The Ballpark at Jackson, the Biloxi Shuckers (40-27) clinched a first-half title following Thursday night's contest and are headed to the Southern League Playoffs for a second straight year. The championship is secured on the heels of a Pensacola Blue Wahoos loss, with Biloxi owning the tiebreaker over their South Division foes and a three-game lead in the division with three games to play. With title secured, the Shuckers celebrate their third consecutive half finishing atop the South Division, the best stretch in franchise history.     
Thursday's meeting remained scoreless until the sixth inning as starting pitching went toe-to-toe over the first half of the contest. Matt Peacock worked five scoreless innings but was mirrored by the efficient night from Biloxi's new right-hander, Dylan File. File allowed just one hit over five shutout frames, walked just one hitter, and struck out five in his Double-A debut but did not factor into the decision.   
Peacock was lifted before starting the sixth and Biloxi was able to break through against Tyler Mark and the bullpen. Mark battled with control, walking five, including Patrick Leonard, Dillon Thomas and Weston Wilson to load the bases. Alexander Alvarez connected two at-bats later with two-run double to give the Shuckers the first lead of the game. Bruce Caldwell then drew a free pass to reload the bases and Luis Aviles Jr. watched ball four to make it a 3-0 game. 
In the bottom of the seventh, Johan Belisario nearly worked out of a bases loaded jam after giving up a pair of single and a walk with no outs. In the bullpen for the first time since April 15th, Belisario got Dominic Miroglio to pop out, struck out Galli Cribbs Jr., but then with two-strikes surrendered a pinch-hit grand slam to Andy Young as Jackson swung in front 4-3.
Caldwell tied the game in the eighth against Matt Brill (W,1-4) by singling home Wilson, but Jackson locked up the lead in the home-half of the inning with a Jamie Westbrook RBI single off Cody Ponce (L,1-1) to make it 5-4. Cameron Gann (S,1) worked around a pair of base runners in the ninth and got Joantgel Segovia to ground into a force play for the final out and earn the save. 
Celebrating their way to the finish of the first-half slate, the Shuckers continue their five-game series against the Jackson Generals on Friday at 6:05 pm CT. Biloxi will send RHP Trey Supak (8-2, 1.91) to the mound and Jackson will send Conner Grey (2-0, 3.44) to the mound . The game can be heard locally in Biloxi on Cruisin' WGCM AM 1240/100.9 FM, TuneIn Radio or the MiLB First Pitch App and can be seen on MiLB.TV. Fans can save $10 off their subscription when they use the promo code 'Shuckers' at checkout.
Full Season Shuck Nation memberships, Weekender Shuck Nation memberships and Group Outings for the 2019 Biloxi Shuckers season are on sale now and are available for purchase by calling 228-233-3465, online at biloxishuckers.com or by visiting the MGM Park front office. Biloxi will host the 2019 Southern League All-Star Festivities, with a Home Run Derby on Monday, June 17 and the All-Star Game at 6:35 pm on Tuesday, June 18 at MGM Park. Tickets for 2019 All-Star Events are on sale now.
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 will host the 2019 Southern League All-Star Game on June 18. For more information please visit biloxishuckers.com and follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.