Three middle-inning home runs propelled the Biloxi Shuckers (31-21) to a 6-3 win over the Mississippi Braves (24-28) at MGM Park on Wednesday night.The Shuckers grabbed the game's first run with a Jake Gatewood two-out single in the first, but soon after, RHP Cody Ponce (W, 2-3) had to battle
Three middle-inning home runs propelled the Biloxi Shuckers (31-21) to a 6-3 win over the Mississippi Braves (24-28) at MGM Park on Wednesday night.
The Shuckers grabbed the game's first run with a Jake Gatewood two-out single in the first, but soon after, RHP Cody Ponce (W, 2-3) had to battle through a few early longballs off the M-Braves' bats. Alex Jackson gave Mississippi the lead with a two-run shot in the second, his second of the season. An inning later, Alay Lago put the Braves up 3-1 with a solo blast to left, his first of the year. Ponce settled in and allowed just one base hit following the third. He fanned five batters over six frames en route to the win.
Biloxi knotted the game at three in the fourth thanks to Lucas Erceg and Corey Ray. Erceg started the stanza with an opposite field home run off starter RHP Touki Toussaint (L, 2-5). After a pair of singles, Ray delivered a two-out knock down the left field line to plate Tyler Heineman.
An inning later, Gatewood skied a fastball 408 feet over the left-centerfield wall to untie the game, his tenth of the season which ties him for the Southern League lead. In the sixth, Heineman stood at first with one out. With the hit and run on, pinch-hitter Darren Seferina bounced a ball to second base. The would-be inning-ending double play turned into a singular out, allowing Ray to step to the plate. The Shuckers' centerfielder boomed a two-run homer to right field, his eighth of the season to provide the eventual 6-3 final.
RHP Luis Ortiz (S, 1) handled the final three frames for Biloxi. With his start in the rotation skipped this time through, Ortiz got his work in to the tune of three scoreless frames on two hits while striking out four.
With the series tied at a game apiece, RHP Zack Brown (3-0, 3.09) takes the mound for Biloxi on Thursday night against RHP Bryse Wilson (1-0, 3.74) at 6:35 PM CT. Fans can enjoy two drink vouchers and a game ticket for just $10 on Double Play Thursday, with $2 Yuengling, $2 fountain soda, $3 beer draft specials and $2 hot dogs presented by Yuengling, Coca-Cola, Polk's Meat Products and Kicker 108.
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. 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.
