Shuckers Bash Their Way To Doubleheader Sweep

Gatewood and Ray Battle Atop the Home Run Leaderboard

(Michael Krebs)

By Spencer Siegel

July 20, 2018

The Biloxi Shuckers (56-40, 15-11) swept their double header with the Tennessee Smokies (50-47, 14-13) on Thursday night with 2-1 and 4-1 victories. Jake Gatewood homered twice over the two contests, as the Shuckers reached 100 home runs on the season.
Game One:
RHP Luis Ortiz and RHP Keegan Thompson each provided five solid innings in starts for their respective sides. Ortiz allowed just three hits while striking out five. On the other side, Thompson did not surrender a run, as he gave up just two knocks to go along with five K's of his own.
The lone run allowed by the Ortiz was a Trent Giambrone home run to straightaway centerfield in the top of the third to give Tennessee a 1-0 lead. With his 16th bomb of the year, Giambrone tied Gatewood and Ray for the Southern League lead.
As the game shifted to the bullpen, RHP Nate Griep (W, 2-1) kept it a one-run game with a scoreless sixth. RHP Jake Stinnett (L, 0-3) entered for the bottom of the sixth (of seven). After allowing a leadoff single to Ray, Stinnett retired the next two batters to bring Gatewood to the plate. The Biloxi first baseman boomed the first pitch over the left field fence to give the Shuckers a 2-1 lead, his league-leading 17th on the year.
Griep wrapped things up in the seventh with another scoreless stanza to close out his own win before the two sides returned to their clubhouses to get ready for Game Two.
Game Two:
The Shuckers jumped out to a 3-0 lead through three innings thanks to a pair of home runs. With a man on in the second, Luis Aviles Jr. Jr. pushed a ball down the right field line that rolled into the corner. As it wedged between the warning track and the padded wall, right fielder Eddy Martinez put his arms in the air to call for a dead ball. Before first base umpire Matt Bates could trot out to inspect the situation, Martinez pulled the ball from the wall, which rendered it live. Aviles never stopped running and circled the bases for an inside-the-park home run, his first "long ball" at the Double-A level.
In the third, Ray took LHP James Buckelew (L, 0-1) deep the old-fashioned way, an opposite field shot to tie Gatewood for the team and league lead with 17 on the year. It did not take long for Gatewood to answer back. In the bottom of the sixth, the first baseman obliterated a fastball from RHP Daury Torrez that carried far out of MGM Park. The majestic home run was the 100th team home run for Biloxi this season, extending a new franchise record. Gatewood's 18th blast also puts him at the top of the single season ranks for the Shuckers.
LHP Kodi Medeiros (W, 7-4) kept the Smokies off the board over five innings. The lefty struck out seven and did not allow a hit until the fourth inning. RHP Jon Olczak (S, 2) followed Medeiros' outing with a pair of innings to earn the save. Olczak allowed a run, but stranded a pair of runners in the final frame to seal the 4-1 win.
Biloxi and Tennessee take the field at 6:35 PM CT for a standard nine-inning affair on Fireworks Friday at MGM Park. RHP Thomas Jankins (9-5, 4.70) gets the ball for the Shuckers and will oppose RHP Matt Swarmer (1-2, 3.90). It's also Christmas in July, where fans are encouraged to wear their best Christmas attire and bring new, gender-neutral baby items including blankets, pacifiers, bottles and diapers for Buddy Bags.
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.com. Playoff strips and single game tickets for the Biloxi Shuckers 2018 season are on sale now and can be purchased at the MGM Park box office or over the phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Season tickets, flex plans and group outings are also available and can be reserved by calling 228-233-3465 or visiting www.biloxishuckers.com.

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