Shuckers Threaten Late, Fall to Trash Pandas, 6-4, in Series Finale

BILOXI, MS – The Biloxi Shuckers (19-14) threatened late by loading the bases and bringing up the go-ahead run in the seventh, but a double play ended the rally and led to a 6-4 win in the series finale for the Rocket City Trash Pandas (16-17) at MGM Park on Sunday afternoon. Despite the loss, the Shuckers won their third series of the year and their second over the Trash Pandas.

The scoring started early for both sides. In the first, Orlando Martinez led off the game with a single to left, and then Kyren Paris lifted a two-run home run to left, giving Rocket City a 2-0 lead. The Shuckers, however, battled back in the bottom of the inning. A leadoff triple from Noah Cambell and a double from Jackson Chourio gave the Shuckers their first run of the day. Chourio was later brought in by Felix Valerio on a groundout to short.

Rocket City took the lead in the third off an error when the Shuckers attempted to complete a double play. The ball got away from first, allowing Martinez to score, and give the Trash Pandas a 3-2 lead.

With the lead, Rocket City starter Jack Kochanowicz held the Shuckers at bay. After the two hits in the first, the righty retired 15 of the final 17 batters he faced to get through five innings in his Double-A debut.

Rocket City extended the lead in the seventh after two walks and a Kevin Maitian single brought home the fourth run of the day. Jose Gomez then singled home another one batter later to make it 5-2. Rocket City’s final run would score off a bases-loaded hit batter, giving them a 6-2 lead.

The Shuckers rallied in the bottom of the inning. Freddy Zamora and Jeferson Quero laced back-to-back singles, and a walk to Zavier Warren loaded the bases. Ethan Murray chopped a ball to third that got by Livan Soto and up the third base line, scoring two to make it 6-4. The Shuckers put the tying run on, but Ben Joyce induced a double play off Jackson Chourio’s bat to end the rally. In the ninth, Kenyon Yovan earned his third save of the year with a perfect inning.

Kochanowicz (1-0) took the win in his debut while Christian Mejias (2-2) took the loss for Biloxi.

After an off day on Monday, the Shuckers will travel to AT&T Field in Chattanooga to take on the Lookouts. First pitch on Tuesday is slated for 6:05 p.m. local time and 5:05 p.m. CT.

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.

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.