Five-run fifth inning lifts Shuckers over Pensacola
BILOXI, MS - Thanks to a five-run scoring burst in the fifth inning, the Biloxi Shuckers erased an early three-run deficit on Thursday night, taking game two over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, 6-5 at MGM Park. The Shuckers have now won five in-a-row over the Blue Wahoos, and have dominated the season series by taking 13 of the first 17 contests. Biloxi moves to 4-3 on the homestand and a league-best 22-14 in one-run games.
The win pulls the Shuckers within 3.5 games of the M-Braves in the second half standings, with 23 games remaining in the regular season.
Adrian Houser picked up his first win as a member of the Shuckers and Brewers' organization with a quality start and season and career-high eight strikeouts, now walks over six innings.
Biloxi (23-23) opened the scoring for the fourth consecutive game, this time using a RBI bloop single off the bat of Parker Berberet (1x3, RBI, BB) to bring home Taylor Green (2x4, 2 RBI, R, 2B) for the 1-0 advantage.
Pensacola (26-20) bounced back with a four-run third. Starting pitcher Sal Romano reached on an error by first baseman Nick Ramirez (0x2, 2 BB) to start things out for the Blue Wahoos, Bryson Smith followed with a double to put two runners in scoring position before Alex Blandino grounded out to third for the first out. Jesse Winker erased the Shuckers lead with a three-run homerun over the left field wall. Juan Duran followed two batters later with a solo shot onto the right-field berm to put Biloxi in a three-run hole.
The two homeruns surrendered in the third bring the total to 11 by the opposition at MGM Park during the first seven games of the 10-game homestand.
The Shuckers erupted for five runs in the fifth to retake the lead and never looked back. Houser walked with one out to set up the rally and moved up to second on a single by Brett Phillips (2x4, R, 2B, BB). Orlando Arcia (2x4, 2 RBI, R, 2B) brought Biloxi within a run with a sharp double down the left-field line, bringing home both runners. A walk to Nathan Orf (0x3, R, BB) kept the line moving for Ramirez (0x2, 2 BB), who lifted a fly ball to left-center, allowing Arcia to move to third. With Victor Roache (1x3, R, BB) at the plate, a passed ball on Kyle Skipworth allowed Arcia to score and tie the game. Back-to-back walks to Roache and Josh Fellhauer (0x3, BB) extended the inning for Green, who smashed a two-run single into right to put the Shuckers up, 6-4.
Houser (1-0) held the lead in the sixth by striking out the side to end his third start as a Shucker. The righty from Oklahoma earned his first quality start in Biloxi, allowing four runs - two earned - on five hits. Since coming over in the trade with the Houston Astros, Houser has not walked a batter in 17 innings, while handing out 17 strikeouts.
Jacob Barnes (IP, H, 2 SO) and Yhonathan Barrios (IP, H, BB, 2 SO) bridged the gap to the ninth, striking out four in two innings. Damien Magnifico locked down his 15th save in 17 chances, allowing a run in the ninth for the 6-5 final.
Biloxi looks for its third consecutive victory on Friday night at MGM Park agains Pensacola. LHP Josh Hader (1-0, 4.15) will toe the rubber for a third time as a member of the Shuckers, while the Blue Wahoos will send out RHP Timothy Adleman (6-8, 2.41). 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.
The Shuckers season-long homestand goes through Sunday at MGM Park. Saturday is filled with promotions. The first 1,000 kids ages 12-and-under will get a souvenir baseball courtesy of the Mississippi Forestry Commission, plus a special guest appearance by Smokey Bear. Also, August 15 is Bark in the Park, a pet friendly day out at MGM Park, courtesy of Mars PetCare and Pedigree, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers and the South Mississippi Humane Society. Bring your four-legged friend and sit on our berm with other pet owners! Also fans will be encouraged to bring donation items that will go towards helping all the fur babies at the Humane Society of South Mississippi. The night also includes the most famous bat boy in baseball, Breakin' BBoy McCoy, who will bring his dance moves and act that has taken the country by storm.
In addition to purchasing tickets at the MGM Park Box Office or CLICKING HERE, 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**