BayBears turn triple play, come back to win in extras

MOBILE, Ala. (April 17, 2018) - An eighth-inning triple play helped the Mobile BayBears, the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, keep the score tied and ultimately defeat the Biloxi Shuckers 4-3 in 10 innings Tuesday night at Hank Aaron Stadium.
With the score tied 3-3, Biloxi (9-3) had two runners on and no outs in the top of the eighth. The runners both took off on a 2-2 pitch, and Lucas Erceg hit a line drive to the first baseman Matt Thaiss . Thaiss made the catch, stepped on first base for the second out, and then threw to shortstop Connor Justus . Justus retrieved the ball and stepped on second base to complete the first triple play for the BayBears since July 30, 2006.

TRIPLE PLAY for the @Mobile_BayBears!

Their first triple play since 2006 comes courtesy of @Matt_Thaiss and @connor_justus! pic.twitter.com/sX5V4TaHyi

— The Southern League (@SLeagueBaseball) April 18, 2018

Thaiss hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th inning to drive in Riley Unroe and win the game 4-3.
Mobile (5-6) was trailing 3-0 after the Shuckers plated three runs against Griffin Canning in the first inning, including a two-run homer by Jake Gatewood. However, the BayBears plated a pair of unearned runs off Wade Miley in the bottom of the frame, and Hutton Moyer tied the game with his league-high fifth home run in the sixth.
Canning gave up three runs on four hits with three strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. He did not factor in the decision in his Double-A debut. Greg Mahle (2-0) earned the win on his birthday, pitching two scoreless innings out of the bullpen to finish the game.
Miley, a former BayBear, allowed four hits and struck out two batters in 2 2/3 innings. He threw 37 pitches, 27 for strikes, in his first regular-season start this year. Luis Ortiz (1-1) took the loss despite pitching 6 1/3 innings, giving up just three hits, and striking out a career-high 10 batters.
Zach Gibbons ' hit streak ended at 10 games with an 0-for-3 night. However, he was intentionally walked in the ninth inning to reach base for the 11th consecutive game.
The BayBears continue the five-game home series against Biloxi Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. CDT. Live coverage can be seen on MiLB.tv (subscription required, promo code: BAYBEARS) and heard on the BayBears Broadcast Network, the TuneIn Radio App, and the MiLB First Pitch App, with the Countdown to First Pitch starting at 6:15 p.m.
The BayBears host a total of 70 home dates through Labor Day, September 3. Single-game tickets and ticket packages are currently on sale. Season tickets and group and hospitality offerings for the 2018 season can be reserved by calling (251) 479-BEAR (2327).
 
About the Mobile BayBears
The Mobile BayBears are the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels and play their games at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile, Ala. The BayBears were founded in 1997 and have won four Southern League titles in 1998, 2004, 2011, and 2012. Additionally, the 1998 and 2011 championship squads were named Minor League Team of the Year by Baseball America. More than 160 former BayBears have reached the Major League level, including All-Stars Max Scherzer, Paul Goldschmidt, Jake Peavy, Carlos González, and Justin Upton. For more information on the Mobile BayBears and Hank Aaron Stadium, please visit MobileBayBears.com, call (251) 479-BEAR (2327), or contact Steve Goldberg via email at [email protected].
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