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Lopez deals Shuckers a win over Wahoos in game one of Division Series

Lopez tosses a season-high 115 pitches and takes no hitter into the sixh
September 11, 2015

BILOXI, MS - A raucous crowd of 2,782 at MGM Park witnessed the Southern League's Most Outstanding Pitcher, Jorge Lopez dazzle the Pensacola Blue Wahoos through 6.2 innings as Biloxi took game one of the Southern League South Division Series, 4-2 on Thursday night. Lopez's 115-pitch performance gives the Shuckers a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.

Lopez (1-0) took over where he left off in the regular season, allowing just an unearned run on two hits, three walks and seven strikeouts in 6.2 innings on the season-high115 pitches - 65 for strikes. The 22-year-old carried a no-hitter into the sixth, before a one-out single by Alex Blandino broke up the bid.

Biloxi (1-0) came out of the gate swinging to take an early 1-0 lead at the end of the first. Yadiel Rivera (2x5, R) singled to kick start the offense and came all the way around to score on Orlando Arcia's (2x4, 2 RBI, R, 3B) triple to center.

Pensacola (0-1) tied things up with an unearned run in the third. Ray Chang reached on an error by Arcia at shortstop to start the inning and advanced to second on the play. After moving over to third on a sacrifice bunt by Daniel Wright, Phillip Ervin brought in the tying run with a groundout to second.

The Shuckers had a leadoff double in the fourth from Tyrone Taylor (2x3, 2B), but could not get the run across. Instead, Biloxi used a leadoff double from Nick Shaw (2x4, R, 2B) in the fifth to piece together a rally. Rivera singled the runner over to third after Lopez struck out, and Arcia drove in his second run of the game with a groundout to second.

Biloxi added insurance with a RBI double from Brett Phillips (2x3, RBI, 2 2B) in the sixth and a RBI groundout by Garrett Cooper (0x3, RBI, R, BB) to plate Arcia in the seventh for a 4-1 advantage.

Jacob Barnes took over for Lopez with two outs in the seventh and struck out Ryan Wright to end the inning and carried that momentum into the eighth, striking out two more in a perfect frame.

Damien Magnifico, who saved 20 games in 22 chances during the regular season, struggled to shut the door on the Blue Wahoos in the ninth. Back-to-back walks to Marquez Smith and Juan Duran started the inning and a fielder's choice by Seth Mejias-Brean placed runners on the corners. Chang singled home Smith to cut the Shuckers' lead to 4-2.

Southern League Manager of the Year Carlos Subero turned to Yhonathan Barrios (SV, 1) to pick up the final two outs. The 23-year-old responded in kind, striking out Skipworth and inducing a groundout to second from Zach Vincej to end the game.

Biloxi will try to finish off its home-field advantage and take a 2-0 lead on Friday night. RHP Adrian Houser (4-1, 2.92) will make his second start against Pensacola, and first since Aug. 13, when the 22-year-old gave up four runs - two earned - over six innings with eight strikeouts. The Blue Wahoos will send out LHP Cody Reed, who shutout the Shuckers over seven innings and struck out 10 on Aug. 15. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m., with coverage beginning at 6:50 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 game is also available on MiLB.tv.

Following the game on Friday, there will be post-game fireworks. The Shuckers have also partnered with First Command Financial Services to recognize a member from the Biloxi Fire and Police Departments as well as a member of the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard. These seven individuals and their family members will be thanked on field before the game and participate in the game's honorary first pitch ceremony. To purchase playoff tickets directly, CLICK HERE.

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**