Shuckers Fall to Trash Pandas in Series Opener at Toyota Field

James Meeker sets new career-high with six strikeouts in relief

(Sierra Gatz)

By Javik Blake/Biloxi Shuckers

April 18, 2023

MADISON, AL – It was another first-inning home run from Tyler Black and 16 strikeouts from the Biloxi Shuckers pitching staff, but the Rocket City Trash Pandas used eight two-out runs to take game one of the series, 9-2, at Toyota Field. The win was the fifth straight for the

MADISON, AL – It was another first-inning home run from Tyler Black and 16 strikeouts from the Biloxi Shuckers pitching staff, but the Rocket City Trash Pandas used eight two-out runs to take game one of the series, 9-2, at Toyota Field. The win was the fifth straight for the Trash Pandas (7-3), while the Shuckers (5-5) lost their third straight.

Just like Sunday’s match-up with Pensacola, Black launched a solo shot in the first, this time to left, to give the Shuckers an early 1-0 lead. The home run was his third of the year, tying him for the team lead with Jackson Chourio. Rocket City responded with a two-out double from Jose Gomez in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game at one.

In the second, the Trash Pandas looked to take the lead, but Chourio threw out Kevin Maitan at the plate from center to keep the game tied.

The Shuckers then took the lead in the third off starter Landon Marceaux with back-to-back doubles from Ethan Murray and Isaac Collins. Collins was later thrown out trying to score off a single from Chourio. Just like the first, however, a two-out double from David Calabrese tied the game at two.

In the fourth, the Trash Pandas offense exploded with a solo shot from Aaron Whitefield and a three-run home run from Gomez to take a 6-2 lead. One inning later, they tallied three more off a single from Orlando Martinez and a two-run double from Edgar Quero, all with two outs.

With a 9-2 deficit, James Meeker came out of the Shuckers bullpen and held the line with a dominant performance. Over 3.1 scoreless innings, a career-high in a relief appearance, Meeker struck out six Trash Pandas, including two in the sixth and two more ninth. His six strikeouts set a new career-high for the righty. The 16-strikeout performance for the Shuckers pitching staff also tied their season-high from Opening Day against Mississippi.

Marceaux (1-0) picked up the win for the Trash Pandas while Adam Seminaris (0-2) took the loss for Biloxi. The two teams are set to meet tomorrow morning at 11:05 a.m. at Toyota Field for game two of the series.

Individual tickets, group outings, Shuck Nation memberships and Flex Plans for the 2023 Biloxi Shuckers season are available now by calling (228) 233-3465 or visiting biloxishuckers.com. The Shuckers will return to MGM Park on Tuesday, April 25 for a six-game series against the Mississippi Braves.

ABOUT THE BILOXI SHUCKERS:

The Biloxi Shuckers are the Double-A Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Shuckers are members of the Southern League and play at MGM Park in Biloxi, Mississippi. For more information please visit biloxishuckers.com and follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.

ABOUT SHUCKERS BASEBALL, LLC:

Shuckers Baseball, LLC is a MS entity owned and operated by John Tracy. Shuckers Baseball operates the Biloxi Shuckers baseball franchise, including operating MGM Park for Biloxi Shuckers minor league baseball games and other entertainment and recreational events.