Lopez outduels Fernandez in 4-1 win on Saturday
JACKSONVILLE, FL - Biloxi starter Jorge Lopez outdueled Miami Marlins' rehabbing right-hander Jose Fernandez Saturday night at Bragan Field as the Shuckers won their second-straight, 4-1, over the Jacksonville Suns. The Shuckers improved to a season-high 19 games over .500 on the season and are one win away from taking their eighth-consecutive series. Lopez delivered the Shuckers' 28th quality start of the season and second-straight, matching a career high with eight innings pitched and season-high with eight strikeouts.
Biloxi's offense greeted big-league rehabber Jose Fernandez by putting up the first run of the game in the first with a RBI ground-rule double from Michael Reed (1x4, RBI, 2B). Nathan Orf (1x3, RBI, R, 3B, BB) started the frame with a walk and advanced to second on a single by Tyrone Taylor (1x4) to set up the scoring chance for Reed. The double was Reed's 13th of the year.
Orf was involved in another run-scoring play in the second with a RBI triple to bring home Victor Roache (0x3, R, BB), who had walked to lead off the inning.
Biloxi (2-1) was back at it in the third, this time with a two-run, opposite-field home run from Nick Ramirez (1x4, HR, 2 RBI, R), scoring Orlando Arica (1x4, R, 2B) to stretch the Shuckers' lead to 4-0. The homer was Ramirez' 10th of the season, becoming the sixth in the Southern League to reach double-digits in homers. Arcia's double in the third extended the shortstop's hitting streak to six games.
Fernandez (0-1) settled down in the fourth and fifth against the Shuckers, retiring the final five batters he faced. The 22-year-old righty allowed all four runs in his five innings of work on six hits, two walks and eight strikeouts, throwing 90 pitches.
Jorge Lopez (6-2) stole the show and took a shutout into the eighth, but lost the bid with two outs on a solo home run by Kenny Wilson to cut the lead to 4-1. The 22-year-old, Puerto Rico native, tied a career-high with eight innings pitched and tied a season-high with eight strikeouts. The righty allowed the one run on three hits and four walks. Biloxi has won the starters' last five starts and 10 of his 13 starts this season.
Damien Magnifico came on for the ninth and allowed a double, but did not let a run cross the plate en route to his eighth save of the season.
Biloxi will go for its eighth-consecutive series victory on Sunday afternoon with LHP Hobbs Johnson (4-4, 3.61) facing off against Jacksonville's (1-2) RHP Trevor Williams (3-7, 4.23). First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m., with coverage beginning at 1:50 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.
The Shuckers return to MGM Park for a three-game series, July 1-3 against their Magnolia state rival Mississippi Braves. July 1-2 will be a 7:10 pm start while July 3 is a 6:10 pm start time. In addition to purchasing tickets at the MGM Park Box Office, fans may also use the options listed below from Ticketmaster. In order to purchase tickets over the phone, please call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000. The MGM Park Box Office does not process any phone sales. All phone sales must be made through Ticketmaster with the number provided. In order to purchase tickets online, please visit www.ticketmaster.com or www.BiloxiShuckers.com. Tickets may also be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets. Please visit www.ticketmaster.com for additional locations in your area. ** There are no refunds or exchanges for individual game tickets**