Shuckers break loose in sixth and clinch inaugural series at MGM Park
BILOXI, MS - The Shuckers received back-to-back home runs for the first time in franchise history by Taylor Green and Tyrone Taylor in the fourth behind starter Hiram Burgos, who improved to 3-0 in the Shuckers' 7-5, inaugural series clincher over the Mobile BayBears at MGM Park on Tuesday. The win clinched Biloxi's fifth-straight series and the club will look to take four of five in the series finale on Wednesday night. The magic number for a first half title in the South Division drops to eight after the win.
Mobile (29-29) jumped ahead with runs in the second and third, all coming with two outs. Zach Borenstein led off the second with a walk and scored on a Matt Jones single. The second run came after a one-out free pass to Jack Reinheimer as he came around to score on an RBI single by Borenstein.
Biloxi (36-22) responded with a power surge with two outs off of Mobile starter Brandon Sinnery (L, 4-5) in the fourth, using back-to-back jacks from Taylor Green (1x4, HR, 2 RBI, R) and Tyrone Taylor (2x4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2B) to pull ahead with a 3-2 advantage. The consecutive homers were the first this season for the Shuckers, and the first time Biloxi has had multiple roundtrippers in an inning.
The BayBears tied things up in the sixth with a sacrifice fly by Gerson Montilla to bring home Rudy Flores.
Burgos (3-0, 3.68) recorded the Shuckers seventh quality start in nine games after allowing three runs - two earned - in six innings on three hits, three walks and seven strikeouts. The 27-year-old right-hander has struck out at least seven in seven of his 12 starts between the Brevard County Manatees (High-A) and the Shuckers this season.
Nine men came to the plate in a four-run sixth to break the game open for Biloxi. Nick Ramirez (2x4, R, 2B) led off the frame with a double and moved to third on a single by Michael Reed (3x4, 2 R, SB). Green popped out for the first out of the inning against new pitcher Dominic Leone, but Taylor doubled home Ramirez to put the Shuckers back on top and put runners at second and third. Adam Weisenburger (1x2, 2 RBI, R, 2 BB) drove both runners home with a single to open up the lead to three, then pinch hitter Josh Fellhauer's (1x1, SB) single placed runners on the corners. Kyle Wren (3x4, RBI, SB) laid down a sacrifice bunt and reached on a throwing error by Leone, bringing in Weisenburger for the final run of the inning. The Shuckers' outfielder has multi-hit performances in six of his last 10 games.
The BayBears scored twice in the seventh against reliever Austin Ross (0.1 IP, 2 R, 4 H), but Trevor Seidenberger (1.2 IP, 2 SO) struck out Borenstein and Montilla to keep Mobile in check. Seidenburger, in just his third Biloxi game, earned his first hold on his 23rd birthday.
Manager Carlos Subero called upon Mike Strong (SV, 2, IP, SO) to pick up the save in the ninth and the lefty responded by setting down the side in order to secure his second save of the season.
The Opening Series at MGM Park wraps up on Wednesday with another 7:10 pm start. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.biloxishuckers.com, www.ticketmaster.com, at the MGM Park box office or by calling 800-745-3000. Fans can also purchase season tickets, mini plans and group tickets by calling the Shuckers' administrative offices at (228) 233-3465. The Shuckers return to MGM Park on Wednesday, June 17, opening a five-game series against the Montgomery Biscuits.
Biloxi will look for its third-straight win to close out the five-game series against Mobile. LHP Brent Suter (3-1, 2.29) will take the mound for the Shuckers, while the BayBears will send out RHP A.J. Schugel (2-1, 2.96). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m., with coverage beginning at 6:55 p.m. on 1240-AM WGCM, 1580-AM WPMO and the Biloxi Shuckers Radio Network. Fans can also listen to the game using the TuneIn Radio app or by going to www.biloxishuckers.com.