Shuckers Fall in Pitcher's Duel to Pensacola
PENSACOLA, FL – The Biloxi Shuckers (37-40, 3-5) put the tying run in scoring position in the ninth inning with two outs, but a hard-hit groundball to third retired the final hitter of the night, giving the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (45-31, 4-4) a 3-1 victory at Blue Wahoos Stadium on
PENSACOLA, FL – The Biloxi Shuckers (37-40, 3-5) put the tying run in scoring position in the ninth inning with two outs, but a hard-hit groundball to third retired the final hitter of the night, giving the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (45-31, 4-4) a 3-1 victory at Blue Wahoos Stadium on Wednesday night.
Shuckers’ starter Carlos Rodriguez started hot in his second start in his home state since being drafted in 2021, retiring the first six batters in order, including two strikeouts that ended each inning. Cody Morisette, however, gave Pensacola the lead with a solo shot to right to lead off the third. Rodriguez later worked out of the inning with back-to-back fielder’s choice to second. Pensacola later extended their lead in the sixth off an RBI single from José Devers, scoring Will Banfield who had reached and moved to second on two errors.
In the seventh, the Shuckers answered with a walk to Ethan Murray and a single from Carlos Rodriguez, pushing him to second. Then, Lamar Sparks drove in Murray with a sharp line-drive single to left, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Shuckers’ reliever Joe Brady, making his Double-A then retired the side in order in the bottom of the inning, including a strikeout to end it.
Pensacola got the run back in the eighth when Brady was lifted after 2.2 innings for Zach Vennaro with the bases loaded. Morissette then drew an RBI walk, increasing the lead back to two at 3-1.
In the ninth, Lamar Sparks was hit by a Jefry Yan pitch with two strikes, and Isaac Collins drew a walk on a full count, bringing up Felix Valerio. The pair later stole second and third in the at-bat, putting the tying run in scoring position with two outs. Valerio then hit a one-hop ground to third, but Colbie Fletcher-Vance fired across the diamond ahead of Valerio to end it.
Jake Eder (1-1) earned the win for Pensacola after dancing around five walks for five scoreless innings. Rodriguez (4-3) took the loss after allowing one run in five innings, lowering his season ERA to 3.00. Yan earned his eighth save of the year.
The teams will meet in Pensacola tomorrow for game three of the series, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35. Righty Tobias Myers will start for Biloxi against righty M.D. Johnson.
Tomorrow’s game can be heard on Cruisin’ WGCM 1240 AM, 100.9 FM with coverage beginning at 6:20 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.