Shuckers close regular season with doubleheader split on Monday
BILOXI, MS - The Biloxi Shuckers finished the 2015 regular season by splitting Monday's doubleheader against the Tennessee Smokies, claiming the best overall record in the Southern League at 78-59. A crowd on 3,041 witnessed a few milestones as Tyler Wagner claimed the league's ERA title at 2.25 in game two, and manager Carlos Subero set a new career high in wins, as he tops his previous high set in 2011 and 2014.
The Shuckers will begin postseason play on Thursday night at MGM Park in game one of the best-of-five Division Series against the South Division second half champion Pensacola Blue Wahoos, with first pitch set for 7:10 pm.
Game 1: Smokies 2, Shuckers 0
Josh Hader (1-4) coasted into the fourth inning of the opener before running into trouble. The southpaw hit Bijan Rademacher to start the inning and gave up back-to-back singles to Wilson Contreras and Jeimer Candelario to load the bases. A walk to Dan Vogelbach brought in Rademacher to put the Shuckers down a run.
That one run would be the only blemish on Hader's line, as the Maryland native allowed the run on four hits, two walks and six strikeouts. In 38.2 innings with Biloxi, Hader struck out 49 batters and walked 11 in seven games. The Shuckers have been shutout in four of his last five starts.
Biloxi had a chance to put a run on the board in the fourth, but came up empty when Hader popped up to third with the bases loaded and two outs. The Shuckers went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position and stranded seven on base.
The shutout was the 14th of the season suffered by Biloxi.
Game 2: Shuckers 3, Smokies 2
Biloxi (35-34) grabbed the early lead in the season finale with a run in the second against Smokies reliever Corey Black. Tyrone Taylor (0x2, R, BB) started the frame by striking out, but a wild pitch allowed the 21-year-old to reach first base safely. With Nick Ramirez (1x1, RBI, 2 BB) at the plate, Taylor stole second and came around to score when Ramirez roped a 3-2 pitch off the right-field wall.
The lead did not last long as Tyler Wagner allowed two runs to score in the third to put the Shuckers down a run. Bryant Flete tripled down the right-field line and scored on Tyler Pearson's triple that followed to right-center. Black hit a grounder to Orlando Arcia at shortstop, who tagged out Pearson for the first out. Jacob Hannemann, Stephen Bruno and Bijan Rademacher each singled to plate another run and place Biloxi in a one-run deficit.
Wagner tossed five innings in his final start of the regular season, surrendering both runs on five hits, two walks and two strikeouts. The Las Vegas native finished the year with a 2.25 ERA, one one-hundredth of a point better than teammate Jorge Lopez to win the ERA crown in the Southern League.
The Shuckers rallied in the sixth to take the lead over the Smokies. Garrett Cooper (1x1, R, 2 BB) walked to start things out and moved to third on a single by Josh Fellhauer (1x3, R). After a groundout to short by Taylor, Ramirez was intentionally walked to load the bases. A free pass to Adam Weisenburger (0x2, RBI, BB) forced in the tying run before Nick Shaw (0x3) struck out for the second out. Pinch hitter Taylor Green (0x0, RBI, BB) drew a walk to drive in the winning run.
Damien Magnifico earned his 20th save in 22 chances by working a scoreless ninth.
Biloxi will take the next two days off before its first-round matchup with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Sept. 10. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m., with coverage beginning at 6:55 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.
Playoff Tickets On-Sale: Biloxi Shuckers Southern League South Division Series playoff tickets are on sale. Fans can purchase playoff tickets online through biloxishuckers.com, ticketmaster.com, by calling 800-745-3000 or visiting the MGM Park box office. The Southern League South Division first half champions will host game one and two of the best-of-5 series against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at 7:10 p.m., Thursday and Friday at MGM Park.
Following the game on Friday, there will be post-game fireworks. The Shuckers have also partnered with First Command Financial Services to recognize a member from the Biloxi Fire and Police Departments as well as a member of the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard. These seven individuals and their family members will be thanked on field before the game and participate in the game's honorary first pitch ceremony. To purchase playoff tickets directly, CLICK HERE.
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**