Phillips' three-homer night leads Shuckers to 9-3 win over Blue Wahoos
PENSACOLA, FL. - Brett Phillips smacked three home runs and led the Biloxi Shuckers to a 9-3 victory over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Saturday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The lefty became the first ever Shucker to hit three long balls in a game, as Biloxi snapped its four-game losing streak in the process.
Phillips is the first to record a three-homer game in the Southern League this season and first Brewers farmhand to achieve the feat since Victor Roache did it back on May 4, 2014, while with A+ Brevard County. It was the first multi-homer game of Phillips' career.
Phillips (3x5, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 3 R) came out hacking as the 21-year-old sent an opposite field blast over the wall in left with Kyle Wren (1x3, RBI, 3 R, 2B, 2 BB) on base to give the Shuckers a quick, 2-0 lead in the first. The left-handed slugger was at it again in the second, as he capped off a three-run frame with a two-run blast onto the berm in right field to advance Biloxi's lead to 5-0.
Phillips wasn't finished there, as he sent a drive over the wall in right for his third two-run blast of the game in the seventh, giving the Shuckers a 9-3 lead. The Florida native becomes the first Shucker to record three home runs in a game in his first multi-homer game of his career, and is the fifth Milwaukee Brewers farmhand to hit three blasts in a game since 2008.
Shuckers' starting pitcher Javi Salas labored through his 2.2 innings of work, as the right-hander surrendered a run in the second and two more in the third before being lifted for Jed Bradley. Salas allowed three runs on three hits, four walks and four strikeouts, while needing 78 pitches - 37 strikes.
Bradley (3-1) shut down the Blue Wahoos over 3.1 innings in relief of Salas, giving up just two hits and striking out two on 28 pitches - 24 strikes.
Steve Peterson was the next man up out of the bullpen for manager Mike Guerrero, and the southpaw continued where his predecessor left off, holding Pensacola scoreless over two frames. Stephen Kohlscheen secured the victory with a two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth.
Pensacola starter Nick Travieso (1-2) allowed seven runs - five earned - on five hits, three walks and four strikeouts, needing 70 pitches - 41 strikes.
Biloxi will try to salvage two wins in the series against Pensacola in the final on Saturday afternoon at Blue Wahoos Stadium. LHP Wei-Chung Wang (2-1, 2.83) takes the bump for the Shuckers, while LHP Amir Garrett (2-2, 1.52) toes the rubber for the Blue Wahoos. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m., with coverage starting at 3:40 p.m. on the Biloxi Shuckers' Radio Network's flagship station WGCM 1240 AM, 100.9 FM, Pascagoula's WPMO 1580 AM and the TuneIn Radio app. The contest can also be seen on milb.tv.
Biloxi return to MGM Park for a five-game homestand against the Miami Marlins affiliate Jacksonville Suns, Monday, May 9th through Friday, May 13th. The homestand features Bark in the Park, presented by Raising Cane's on May 9th, Diamondhead, Long Beach and Pass Christian Community Night on May 10th, Negro League Tribute Night, honoring the Biloxi Dodgers and Double Play Thursday $2 ballpark specials on May 12th and post-game fireworks on May 13th.
Tickets for individual regular season games are currently on-sale and may be purchased by visiting the MGM Park box office or any Ticketmaster outlet. Season Tickets, Shmini Plans, Group Tickets, Party Deck Tickets and Mercedes-Benz Mini Suite Tickets are available by calling the Shuckers at 228-233-3465. For more details, visit biloxishuckers.com.
About the Biloxi Shuckers:
The Biloxi Shuckers are the Double-A Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers and a member of the Southern League. For up-to-date news and notes throughout the offseason, visit biloxishuckers.com, follow the club on Twitter (@biloxishuckers), Instagram (@officialbiloxishuckers) or like the team on Facebook (facebook.com/biloxishuckers).