KODAK, TN - The Biloxi Shuckers (68-47, 27-18 2nd Half) clawed their way to the second 11-inning win of the season on Wednesday night, topping the Tennessee Smokies (49-66, 16-30 2nd Half) in the series opener at Smokies Stadium, 6-5. The back-and-forth struggle saw the Smokies tie the game in
KODAK, TN - The Biloxi Shuckers (68-47, 27-18 2nd Half) clawed their way to the second 11-inning win of the season on Wednesday night, topping the Tennessee Smokies (49-66, 16-30 2nd Half) in the series opener at Smokies Stadium, 6-5. The back-and-forth struggle saw the Smokies tie the game in the ninth before the Shuckers took two separate leads in extra innings to earn the victory.
Leading 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Nate Griep (BS, 3) entered from the bullpen seeking his 19th save of the season. Griep got Jared Young to groundout before surrendering a game-tying solo homer to Eddy Martinez, evening the game at 4-4. Biloxi's closer worked through the ninth to send the game to extras but suffered his third blown save of the season in the process.
Dillon Thomas gave the Shuckers the lead back on the first at bat of the tenth inning, doubling in the free runner Cooper Hummel from second for a 5-4 advantage. With Tyler Spurlin (W, 2-1) taking over on the mound in the home half of the tenth, Tennessee knotted it right back up on a sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch that scored Christian Danahue from third. After a double from Nico Hoerner and intentional walk to Vimael Machin, Spurlin managed to strand the game-winning run on second, striking out Jhonny Pereda to keep the game tied 5-5 after ten innings.
After scoring off Wyatt Short (L, 5-4) in the tenth, Biloxi solved the left-hander again in the 11th with an RBI double from Joantgel Segovia that scored Max McDowell to make it 6-5. Tasked with holding the third lead of the game, Daniel Brown (S, 1) entered in the bottom of the 11th and retired the side in order to end the game.
Biloxi had to work their way back through the middle innings on Wednesday after the Smokies scored three runs against Bowden Francis in the first inning. Charcer Burks led off with a triple and scored on a Pereda double that opened the scoring. The double also advanced Machin to third and he was granted home after Francis balked. Jared Young made it a 3-0 game with a sacrifice fly but the Biloxi offense would respond following the rocky start.
Jake Gatewood slugged a two-run home run to right field, his 11th of the season, to cut it to a 3-2 game in the second. Against Jack Patterson in the fifth, Hummel scored McDowell with a single and Weston Wilson provided the 4-3 lead with an RBI double, a score that stuck until the ninth. After his tough first inning, Francis kept Tennessee off the board the rest of the way, working five innings and retiring the last nine batters he faced. Brent Suter was the first man out of the bullpen and worked two hitless innings, allowing just one baserunner on a walk.
The Shuckers continue their five-game series with the Smokies on Thursday at Smokies Stadium with first pitch at 6:00 pm CT. The Shuckers will send LHP Cameron Roegner (4-4, 4.67) to the mound and Tennessee will throw LHP Luis Lugo (5-0, 3.09). The game can be heard locally in Biloxi on Cruisin' WGCM AM 1240/100.9 FM, TuneIn Radio or the MiLB First Pitch App and can be seen on MiLB.TV. Fans can save $10 off their subscription when they use the promo code 'Shuckers' at checkout.
Half-Season Shuck Nation Memberships, Flex Plans and Group Outings for the 2019 Biloxi Shuckers season are on sale now and are available for purchase by calling 228-233-3465, online at biloxishuckers.com or by visiting the MGM Park front office. The Biloxi Shuckers will host Game 1 and Game 2 of the South Division Championship Series on September 4 & 5 at MGM Park. Tickets for all six potential playoff games at MGM Park are on sale now.
ABOUT THE BILOXI SHUCKERS:
The Biloxi Shuckers are the Double-A Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Shuckers 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.
