Diplan Earns First Double-A Victory As Shuckers Make it Six In A Row

The Biloxi Shuckers (58-40, 17-11) earned their sixth consecutive win on Saturday night with a 4-1 triumph over the Tennessee Smokies (50-49, 14-15) at MGM Park. RHP Marcos Diplan (W, 1-1) notched his first Double-A win by tossing 6.2 innings of one run ball.
Trent Grisham collected his second home run in as many nights when he stepped to the plate with a runner on base in the bottom of the second inning. The lefty took RHP Matt Swarmer (L, 1-3) deep to left field. All four of Grisham's home runs have gone the opposite way this season. Swarmer was otherwise rock solid for the Smokies, allowing only two hits over his first five innings. He struck out seven on the night.
The Smokies grabbed a run back against Diplan in the top of the fifth when Eddy Martinez boomed a solo home run to left field, the second straight night with a long ball for Martinez. Over his 6.2 frames, Diplan fanned five while walking just one. He made quality pitches in high leverage situations late, stranding runners in scoring position in a 2-1 game in the fifth and sixth.
In the bottom of the sixth, Jake Gatewood pelted a two-run double to the right-centerfield gap, pushing Biloxi's lead to 4-1.
The bullpen helped close things out for Diplan. RHP Miguel Sanchez (H, 2) inherited and stranded a baserunner in the top of the seventh. After Sanchez allowed a hit and a pair of walks to load the bags with two down in the eighth, RHP Nate Griep (S, 25) needed just one pitch to induce a flyout of Jesse Hodges. Griep twirled a 1-2-3 ninth to lock down his league-leading 25th save of the season.
The Shuckers look for their seventh straight win and a five-game sweep of the Smokies on Sunday afternoon. RHP Zack Brown (9-0, 2.33) and RHP Thomas Hatch (6-4, 4.17) battle with a 4:05 PM CT first pitch on Military Salute Sunday.
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 tickets 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.