Shuckers rally from five down to take down Lookouts in extras
CHATTANOOGA, TN. - What else would you expect in game one between the two best teams in the Southern League? The Biloxi Shuckers erased a five-run deficit to force extra innings and steal a win from the Chattanooga Lookouts on Wednesday night at AT&T Field. The Shuckers chipped away at a 6-1 deficit and eventually went ahead thanks to Tyrone Taylor's two out, two-run double in the top of the 10th. The Shuckers record improved to 2-3 in extra-inning games and match Chattanooga with 28 wins on the season, the most in the Southern League.
A leadoff walk to Nathan Orf (1x4, 2 R, BB) in the 10th put the go-ahead run on base for the Shuckers. Adam Weisenburger's (0x3, R, BB) sacrifice bunt moved the runner into scoring position. Kyle Wren (2x5, RBI, R, BB) drew a walk one out later to keep the inning alive for the red hot Tyrone Taylor (2x6, 2 RBI, 2B). The Shuckers' left fielder worked a 3-2 count and roped a double into right field to score both runners and give Biloxi its first lead of the night.
"I was looking for a fastball in," said Taylor of his 3-2 pitch from Chattanooga reliever Madison Baur. "He had been working me away and I grinded the at-bat to full and then was able to come through for the team."
Taylor is batting .364 in his last 10 games and has upped his average to .280 on the season.
Chattanooga (28-17) got on the board early in the first on a RBI single by Travis Harrison to bring in Jorge Polanco, giving the Lookouts a 1-0 lead.
Orlando Arcia's (3x6, HR, 2 RBI, R) third long ball of the season tied the game at one in the top of the third.
The Lookouts responded with a run of their own in the bottom-half of the inning on a RBI groundout by Miguel Sano to plate Twins' top-rated prospect Byron Buxton.
Chattanooga used two home runs in the fourth to open up a four-run lead, including the first ever inside-the-park home run against the Shuckers by Buxton.
Starting pitcher Jorge Lopez lasted just four innings and allowed six runs on nine hits with a walk and three strikeouts on 79 pitches.
The Shuckers chipped away at the five-run deficit with a run in the fifth when Arcia doubled home Nick Shaw (1x4, RBI, R) with two outs, and took a bigger chunk out of the 6-2 hole with a three-run sixth.
Michael Reed (2x4, 2B, BB) struck out to start the inning, but a single to Orf, sandwiched between walks to Taylor Green (3x2, RBI, R, BB) and Weisenburger loaded the bases for Shaw, who lifted a sacrifice fly to center to bring in the first run of the inning. Wren laced a single to left to bring in Orf, with Weisenburger coming in to score on an error by the left fielder Adam Brett Walker.
Green tied the game in the seventh on a sacrifice fly to center to bring in Nick Ramirez (2x6, R). The Shuckers first baseman extended hit on-base streak to 15 games with a single in the seventh.
Biloxi's (28-18) bullpen held strong in the fifth through ninth innings, using a combination of Jacob Barnes (2.0 IP, H, 4 SO), Austin Ross (IP, H, SO), Mike Strong (1x2 IP, 2 H, SO) and Damien Magnifico (W, 1-0, 1.1, H, 2 SO).
Magnifico allowed a one-out single to defending Southern League offensive player of the week Max Kepler, but got Brett Walker and Mike Gonzalez on strikes to end the game and complete the comeback.
RHP Brooks Hall (4-2, 3.92) will seek out his second win in the month of May after picking up three in April. The Milwaukee Brewers' reigning pitcher of the month will face off against LHP David Hurlbut (0-1, 21.00), who will be making his second start of the season for the Lookouts. First pitch is scheduled for 6:15 p.m., with coverage beginning at 6:00 p.m. on 1240-AM WGCM, 1580-AM WPMO and the Biloxi Shuckers Radio Network. Fans can also listen to the game using the TuneIn Radio app or by going to www.biloxishuckers.com.
Individual game tickets are on-sale now for the historic inaugural season of Shuckers baseball at MGM Park. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.biloxishuckers.com, www.ticketmaster.com, at the Shuckers Team Store or by calling 800-745-3000. Also fans can purchase season tickets, mini plans and group tickets by calling the Shuckers' administrative offices at (228) 233-3465.