BILOXI, MS - The Biloxi Shuckers were unable to get their bats going against Jordan Stephens in their series opener against the Birmingham Barons, falling 4-1 at MGM Park on Thursday night.Stephens (W, 1-2) stymied the Shuckers (9-12, 45-45) for a season-high 7.2 innings, allowing only five hits and striking out
BILOXI, MS - The Biloxi Shuckers were unable to get their bats going against Jordan Stephens in their series opener against the Birmingham Barons, falling 4-1 at MGM Park on Thursday night.
Stephens (W, 1-2) stymied the Shuckers (9-12, 45-45) for a season-high 7.2 innings, allowing only five hits and striking out four batters. The Shuckers couldn't turn a leadoff double from Johnny Davis and subsequent single from Tyrone Taylor into a run in the first, setting the tone for the rest of the night.
Luis Ortiz (L, 3-5) got into trouble in the first, walking three batters to allow the game's first run. The righty allowed only three hits in 3.2 innings, but one was a solo home run to Keon Barnum in the fourth inning to give the Barons (8-13, 34-56) a 2-0 lead.
The Shuckers got 3.1 solid relief innings from Travis Hissong , who didn't allow a hit until his third inning of work. The Barons were able to bunch together a Mason Robbins RBI single and Hunter Jones RBI triple in the seventh, however, to extend their lead to 4-0.
Gabriel Noriega hit a solo home run in the eighth, his first of the year, to cut the deficit to 4-1. But Jake Johansen came in for a four-out save to lock down the Barons victory.
The series continues on Friday night as Jon Perrin faces off against Barons ace righty Michael Kopech. First pitch is at 6:35 pm CT with live coverage beginning at 6:15 pm on Cruisin' WGCM AM-1240/FM-100.9 and the Shuckers Radio Network. The game will also be available at biloxishuckers.com, MiLB.TV and TuneIn Radio.
Former Shuckers outfielder Brett Phillips chased down a possum last April at MGM Park. Who would have ever guessed the moment might be commemorated with a one-of-a-kind bobblehead! The bobblehead features the pesky possum that earned them both Minor League Baseball's 2016 Blooper of the Year. The bobblehead will also include a sound box that produces his infamous laugh! The bobblehead is presented by Keesler Federal Credit Union & WLOX-TV. Gates open at 5:30 pm, and the first 1,500 fans will receive a bobblehead! Also, join us for Seat Belt Awareness Night in partnership with the K & J Foundation! Harlie's Law requires that as of July 1st, Mississippi will enforce that all passengers wear a seat belt in vehicles. The MDOT Convincer & Mississippi Highway Patrol's rollover car will be at MGM Park for pregame demonstrations! Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at any Ticketmaster outlet or biloxishuckers.com.
ABOUT THE BILOXI SHUCKERS: The Biloxi Shuckers are the Double-A Southern League 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.
