Comeback bid falls short in 6-4 loss to Wahoos
PENSACOLA, FL. - The Biloxi Shuckers could not climb out of an early 6-0 deficit, as the losing streak reached four games after Wednesday night's, 6-4 loss to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The defeat lands the Shuckers just one game over .500 on the season, and puts them eight games under .500 in the second half.
Biloxi (9-17, 48-47) fell into an early hole after surrendering a run in the first, three more in the second, and two in the third.
Beau Amaral took the first pitch of the night from Angel Ventura over the wall in right to give the Blue Wahoos a 1-0 lead. Eric Jagielo doubled to drive home Zach Vincej for the first run of the second frame. Chad Wallach smacked his fourth homer of the season into the water beyond the left field wall to put the Shuckers in a three-run deficit. Jagielo added another RBI with a groundout to second in the third, scoring Sebastian Elizalde. A bases-loaded wild pitch to Tyler Mahle allowed Brandon Dixon to score the sixth run of the game for the home team through the first three innings.
Biloxi's scoreless streak stretched to 28 innings with no runs in the first three frames, but that came to an end with a three-run fourth to cut the deficit in half.
Brett Phillips (0x4, R, BB) got things started with a leadoff walk and advanced to second with a groundout to second off the bat of Garrett Cooper (0x5). Nick Ramirez (1x2, R, 2 BB) singled to right to put runners on the corners for Jacob Nottingham (1x4), who went down on strikes for the second out.
Gabriel Noriega (1x3, R) ended the skid with a single to left, plating Phillips for the Shuckers' first run since the second inning against the Birmingham Barons on July 16. Angel Ortega (2x4, RBI) followed with a run-scoring single to right, bringing Ramirez around from second for Biloxi's second run of the inning. Chris McFarland (2x4, RBI) snapped an 0-for-23 with an RBI knock to right to cut the deficit in half.
Ventura (0-2) settled down after allowing six runs in the first three innings, retiring seven of the final eight batters he faced on the night. Of the six runs, only four were earned, on six hits, two walks and five strikeouts. The 23-year-old has allowed 10 runs (eight earned) in two starts against Pensacola this season. The Dominican native has tossed 11 innings, surrendered 13 hits, issued four free passes, and punched out nine Blue Wahoos over that span.
Tayler Scott worked two innings out of the bullpen, and left runners at the corners in the sixth to keep the Shuckers within three. Tyler Spurlin walked Wallach to begin his 31st relief appearance of the season. Two consecutive singles loaded the bases against the sidewinding righty, but a double play on a fly out to center, topped by Phillips' eighth outfield assist of the season to nab Wallach at the plate, providing a sigh of relief for the 25-year-old. Southern League All-Star Stephen Peterson entered and struck out Elizalde to escape the inning.
Biloxi threatened to tie the game in the ninth with a bases loaded, nobody out situation, but came up short of the comeback.
Pinch-hitter Johnny Davis (1x1, R), Ortega and McFarland singled to load the bases, and Tom Belza (0x1, RBI, BB) drew a walk to force in a run to bring the Shuckers within two. Tyrone Taylor (0x4) popped out, Phillips struck out, and Cooper popped out to end the game and leave the tying run in scoring position. Belza was signed just before the game and entered as part of a sixth inning double-switch, going 0-for-1 with a walk and RBI in his Milwaukee Brewers and Biloxi debut.
Tyler Mahle (5-1) earned the win for Pensacola (13-13, 54-42) by picking up the 10th quality start against Biloxi in the last 11 games. The right-hander allowed three runs, but none of them were earned, on five hits, two walks and five strikeouts.
Alejandro Chacin (SV, 18) earned his league-leading 18th save with the run allowed in the ninth on three hits, a walk and a strikeout.
The Shuckers will look to even the series in game two of the five-game set on Thursday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium. RHP Taylor Jungmann (0-1, 4.12) takes the mound for Biloxi, while RHP Rookie Davis (6-3, 2.84) heads out to the mound for Pensacola. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., with coverage starting at 6:10 p.m. on the Biloxi Shuckers' Radio Network's flagship station WGCM 1240 AM, 100.9 FM, Pascagoula's WPMO 1580 AM and the TuneIn Radio app.
Biloxi returns to MGM Park July 28-30 for the final three games of a five-game series against the Mobile BayBears. Thursday, July 28, will be Christmas in July at the Shuckers' home ballpark. Friday, July 29, the ZOOperstars! will make their way to MGM Park. Saturday, July 30 will be another Fireworks Extravaganza, as Biloxi's night sky will light up for the 10th time this season.
Tickets for individual regular season games are currently on-sale and may be purchased by visiting the MGM Park box office or any Ticketmaster outlet. Season Tickets, Shmini Plans, Group Tickets, Party Deck Tickets and Mercedes-Benz Mini Suite Tickets are available by calling the Shuckers at 228-233-3465. For more details, visit biloxishuckers.com.
About the Biloxi Shuckers:
The Biloxi Shuckers are the Double-A Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers and a member of the Southern League. For up-to-date news and notes throughout the offseason, visit biloxishuckers.com, follow the club on Twitter (@biloxishuckers), Instagram (@officialbiloxishuckers) or like the team on Facebook (facebook.com/biloxishuckers).