Shuckers' Wild Comeback Falls Short in Series-Opener to Rocket City
BILOXI, MS – Despite a five-run ninth inning, the Biloxi Shuckers (39-43, 5-8) stranded the tying run in an 8-7 loss to the Rocket City Trash Pandas (38-43, 7-5). The loss marked Biloxi’s first series-opening loss since June 6, 2023, at Mississippi, snapping a four-game winning streak. The Shuckers started
BILOXI, MS – Despite a five-run ninth inning, the Biloxi Shuckers (39-43, 5-8) stranded the tying run in an 8-7 loss to the Rocket City Trash Pandas (38-43, 7-5). The loss marked Biloxi’s first series-opening loss since June 6, 2023, at Mississippi, snapping a four-game winning streak.
The Shuckers started the scoring in the first when Tyler Black launched the first pitch of the bottom half out to left for his 12th home run of the year, tying Jeferson Quero for the team-high. Rocket City responded with three in the third. After a game-tying sacrifice fly to center from Kyren Paris, Jeremiah Jackson drove in two with a single on the infield. The lead was trimmed to one when Jackson Chourio smashed his 12th home run of the year, a 420-foot shot.
Rocket City, however, got the run back in the fourth with an RBI single from Jose Gomez. From there, Shuckers’ starter Christian Mejias retired seven of the final eight batters he faced, tying his career-high with six innings.
In the eighth, the Trash Pandas increased the lead back to three with an RBI double from Jackson. Orlando Martinez then drove in Jackson with a single and was later brought home on a throwing error. Bryce Teodosio later brought home Sonny DiChiara with a groundout, increasing the lead to 8-2.
Between starter Brett Kerry and relievers Jake Lee and Kelvin Caceres, the Trash Pandas limited Biloxi to one hit between the fourth and eighth innings, including a stretch where they retired 11 straight.
In the ninth, Tyler Black led off the inning with a double and was brought in by a single from Jackson Chourio. The multi-hit performances were the pairs’ 15th and 21st of the year. The Shuckers loaded the bases with the next two batters reaching and trimmed the deficit to four with an error. Ethan Murray then drove in a run with a single, and a double play made it 8-6 with two outs.
Down to his last strike, Carlos Rodriguez singled to center, bringing in Freddy Zamora to make it 8-7. However, Rocket City closer Kenyon Yovan induced a fielder’s choice to end it. Kerry (4-3) earned the win, Mejias (4-8) took the loss, and Yovan earned his ninth save.
The Shuckers will take on the Trash Pandas in the middle game of their series tomorrow night at 6:05 at MGM Park. The Shuckers will celebrate Shuck Yeah Saturday with a Bucket Hat giveaway presented by the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi. The Shuckers will also announce their first donation through the Heart of a Shucker Community Fund prior to the game.
The game can be heard on Cruisin’ WGCM 1240 AM, 100.9 FM with coverage beginning at 5:50 p.m. with the Biloxi Shuckers Pregame Show. The game can also be seen live on MiLB.tv.
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.