Phillips, Lopez lead Biloxi to Game 1 win

While he may still be getting acquainted with his new organization in certain ways, Brett Phillips is anything but a stranger to postseason baseball. Thursday night, he showed his playoff aptitude in a big moment again.

The Brewers' No. 2 prospect doubled twice and drove in a run in his return from the disabled list as Double-A Biloxi opened its best-of-5 Southern League semifinal with a 4-2 win over visiting Pensacola at MGM Park.

"I've had the opportunity to play in the playoffs the last couple of years, and it's not about individual stats anymore," Phillips said. "It's about stringing together good at-bats, getting on base so the guy behind you can do the job. In the playoffs, it's all about being selfless. Tonight, it was great to get that first win of the series."

The 21-year-old knows what it takes to succeed when the calendar turns to September. While with the Astros, Phillips won a California League title with Class A Advanced Lancaster a year ago and took part in the 2013 Appalachian League playoffs with Rookie-level Greeneville. On Thursday night, his Biloxi club got things off on the right foot behind starting pitcher and No. 9 Milwaukee prospect Jorge Lopez.

"He was lights-out," said Phillips, who joined the Brewers in a trade deadline deal. "He didn't have a hit going into the sixth inning and had his stuff. We were able to string together some good at-bats for him, but he was lights-out. It was exciting to watch him and play behind him."

Lopez (1-0) allowed one unearned run on two hits while striking out seven over 6 2/3 innings. After top Brewers prospect Orlando Arcia belted an RBI triple in the bottom of the first, the Shuckers were confident.

"I think I heard a comment after we scored the first run like, 'Oh we won this game,' just because Lopez has been lights-out all year," Phillips said. "That's what it's all about. You've got your ace on the mound who has his stuff, and you've got 100 percent confidence in the guy. The whole team does."

Phillips, who returned Thursday after missing two weeks on the disabled list due to an irritated nerve in his thumb, plated a run with an RBI double to right field in the sixth.

"It was a curveball and I was able to put a good swing on it and put it down the line, put that run across," MLB.com's No. 34 overall prospect said. "The energy just grows more and more in these types of ballgames. When you have the energy, you have the momentum on your side. It was fun."

Carrying a three-run lead into the ninth, Biloxi's bullpen performed a high-wire act to close out the win. Damien Magnifico walked the first two batters he faced and gave up an RBI single by Ray Chang before departing with the potential tying runs aboard. Yhonathan Barrios came on to record the final two outs and earn the save.

"'Mags' didn't have his stuff tonight, but that's OK, because Barrios came in and shut the door," Phillips said. "It's great going into Game 2 here at home with the first win under our belts. It's good momentum. The team is excited. We're excited to be in the playoffs. We're not ready to go home. We're going to continue to fight and string together team wins."

In other SL playoff action:

Chattanooga 4, Montgomery 3

With his team down to its final strike, Max Kepler showed why he was named the circuit's Most Valuable Player. The Twins' No. 6 prospect laced a two-run walk-off single in the ninth to rally the Lookouts to a Game 1 win. Kepler's base hit was just the Lookouts' second in 12 tries with runners in scoring position. Chattanooga starter D.J. Baxendale didn't factor into the decision, but allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out four over 7 2/3 innings. Gameday box score