Lopez, Phillips guide Shuckers past Blue Wahoos in series opener
BILOXI, MS - For the first time since July 9, the Biloxi Shuckers took the opener of a series with a 4-1 victory over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Wednesday night in front of a crowd of 1,955 at MGM Park. Biloxi starting pitcher Jorge Lopez turned in his 13th quality start, tossing eight shutout innings and Brett Phillips reached base safely five times Wednesday, finishing 4-for-4, a homer shy of the cycle.
Lopez (11-5) made his 21st start of the season fand hit the ground running, as the 22-year-old worked around two base runners in the first before striking out the side. The Puerto Rico native shut down the Blue Wahoos' offense, allowing just four hits over eight shutout innings, walking two, while striking out eight on 107 pitches. The eight innings matched a season and career-high.
Biloxi (22-23) rallied with two outs in the second to score the first run of the game. After fly outs by Taylor Green (0x4) and Tyrone Taylor (0x3, BB), Adam Weisenburger (2x3, RBI, R, BB) drew a walk and moved over to third on a single by Lopez. Phillips started his hot night and the plate, following with a hard-hit double to right to bring home Weisenburger.
The Shuckers were back at it in the third to expand their lead to three. Nathan Orf (1x3, R, BB) started the frame with a single and came all the way around to score on Nick Ramirez's (1x4, RBI, R, 2B) two-bagger to center. A free pass to Victor Roache (2x3, RBI BB) put two on, and Weisenburger came up with a run-scoring knock to right, plating Ramirez for the three-run advantage.
Phillips smacked a fly ball into right that missed the glove of a diving Juan Duran and rolled all the way to the wall for a leadoff triple in the fourth. Roache drove Phillips home two outs later to open up the Shuckers' lead to four.
With just a homerun to go for the cycle in his final at-bat, Phillips stepped up to the plate in the eighth and singled into right to finish the night with a perfect, 4-for-4 performance, raising his average to .300 since joining the Shuckers. The 21-year-old tied team highs with four hits in a game and four consecutive plate appearances with a hit.
Pensacola (26-20) broke up the shutout in the ninth on Jesse Winker's 10th homerun of the season to start the final inning against Manny Barreda (IP, R, H, BB, SO).
Biloxi will look for a two-game lead in the five-game set on Thursday night. RHP Adrian Houser (0-0, 3.27) will make his third start as a member of the Shuckers, while RHP Sal Romano (0-0, 9.64) seeks his first win at the Double-A level for the Blue Wahoos. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m., with coverage beginning at 6:25 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.
Thursday, the Shuckers will recognize the communities of Biloxi, D'Iberville and Woolmarket with a special night of activities. For more information on contact the administrative offices at 228-233-3465.
The Shuckers season-long homestand goes through August 16, featuring Community Night's August 11-13. Saturday, August 15 is filled with promotions. The first 1,000 kids ages 12-and-under will get a souvenir baseball courtesy of the Mississippi Forestry Commission, plus a special guest appearance by Smokey Bear. Also, August 15 is Bark in the Park, a pet friendly day out at MGM Park, courtesy of Mars PetCare and Pedigree, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers and the South Mississippi Humane Society. Bring your four-legged friend and sit on our berm with other pet owners! Also fans will be encouraged to bring donation items that will go towards helping all the fur babies at the Humane Society of South Mississippi. The night also includes the most famous bat boy in baseball, Breakin' BBoy McCoy, who will bring his dance moves and act that has taken the country by storm.
In addition to purchasing tickets at the MGM Park Box Office or CLICKING HERE, fans may also use the options listed below from Ticketmaster. In order to purchase tickets over the phone, please call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000. The MGM Park Box Office does not process any phone sales. All phone sales must be made through Ticketmaster with the number provided
In order to purchase tickets online, please visit www.ticketmaster.com or www.BiloxiShuckers.com. Tickets may also be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets. Please visit www.ticketmaster.com for additional locations in your area. ** There are no refunds or exchanges for individual game tickets**