Shuckers drop first MGM Park sellout, 4-3 as comeback falls short

BILOXI, MS - On a night that included a tough 4-3 loss by the Shuckers to the M-Braves, 10 walks, five errors a post-game wedding and thrilling fireworks show, a sellout crowd and MGM Park-record 6,231 fans left with a smile on Friday night.

The Shuckers had two runners in scoring position in the ninth, but left them stranded in the one-run loss. Biloxi did take two of three in the series and are 8-4 in 12 games at their new home. Over the first 12 games, 48,167 fans have attended, an average of 4,014 per game The Shuckers, winners of nine-straight series will hit the road for a 10-game road trip, starting with a five-game set with the Montgomery Biscuits on Saturday.

Biloxi broke through with a two-out rally in the bottom of the eighth, plating three runs with two outs after trailing 2-0.

Josh Fellhauer (0x0, R, 2 SB) started the frame with a leadoff walk and stole second on a strikeout to Nathan Orf (1x5). Orlando Arcia (1x4) singled one out later to put two runners on for Michael Reed (0x4, R). Both runners advanced 90 feet on stolen bases and Reed hit a bullet to second that was misplayed by Eric Garcia, allowing both men to score and tie the game at two. Reed scored on an errant pickoff attempt by David Peterson that sailed into right field, with Reed coming in on the misplay by Garcia.

Mike Strong (3-1) came on for the save attempt in the ninth, but gave up a double, home run, recorded an out and gave up a single before Carlos Subero called on Damien Magnifico (0.2 IP) to finish the inning. The righty from Mesquite, Texas induced an around-the-horn double play to keep the Shuckers down a run going into the bottom of the ninth.

Biloxi (5-3) put its fifth-consecutive leadoff man on with a walk to Tyrone Taylor (0x3, BB) and Fellhauer would reach two outs later on a catcher's interference to put the go-ahead run on first. Just like in the eighth, both runners moved up on stolen bases to put two in scoring position with two outs. Orf battled with Tyler Jones, but ultimately lined out to second to end the game.

Shuckers' starter Hobbs Johnson needed only seven pitches to work a 1-2-3 first, but labored through the second inning, walking three and allowing a two-run home run to Kevin Ahrens to put Biloxi in a 2-0 hole. The southpaw surrendered a season-high six walks in five innings, while allowing the two runs on two hits and four strikeouts.

Steve Janas made his Double-A debut for the Mississippi Braves and had a no-hitter through four innings, allowing just one base runner on a hit-by-pitch to Adam Weisenburger (1x3). Taylor Green (1x3, BB) broke up the no-hitter with a leadoff single in the fifth, but would be erased on a fielder's choice. Janas has no surrendered a run in 28.2 innings, going back to April 28, while with the Carolina Mudcats.

Mississippi (4-4) committed a season-high five errors in the victory

Biloxi will travel to Montgomery, AL to take on the Biscuits for game one of a five-game series. RHP Brooks Hall (7-4, 4.31) will look to rebound from his last start in which he allowed eight runs in two innings against the Jacksonville Suns. The Biscuits will send out RHP RHP Jake Faria (0-0, 3.00) First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m., with coverage beginning at 6:20 p.m. on 1240-AM WGCM, 1580-AM WPMO and the Biloxi Shuckers Radio Network. Fans can also listen to the game using the TuneIn Radio app or by going to www.biloxishuckers.com.

Tickets are currently on-sale for the next homestand at MGM Park, which begins on Wednesday, July 15 and runs through Tuesday, July 21 against the Chattanooga Lookouts (MIN) and Mobile BayBears (ARI). The next Post-Game Fireworks show is Friday, July 17.

In addition to purchasing tickets at the MGM Park Box Office, fans may also use the options listed below from Ticketmaster. In order to purchase tickets over the phone, please call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000. The MGM Park Box Office does not process any phone sales. All phone sales must be made through Ticketmaster with the number provided.

In order to purchase tickets online, please visit www.ticketmaster.com or www.BiloxiShuckers.com. Tickets may also be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets. Please visit www.ticketmaster.com for additional locations in your area. ** There are no refunds or exchanges for individual game tickets**