Ortega delivers fourth straight win in walk-off fahion
BILOXI, MS. - Angel Ortega stepped up with the bases loaded and nobody out in the ninth, and the 22-year-old shortstop delivered with a walk-off single as the Biloxi Shuckers came away with a 3-2 victory over the Mississippi Braves on Thursday night at MGM Park. The fourth straight win ties a season high for the Shuckers, and pulls the Milwaukee Brewers' Double-A affiliate within 6.5 games of first place in the Southern League South with 11 games remaining. The Shuckers also climb within 1.5 games of a potential wild card spot, should the Pensacola Blue Wahoos win the second half.
The final half inning started with Rene Garcia (0x4, R) reaching on an error by Levi Hyams at third, and racing to second on the play. Brett Phillips (0x0, BB) was intentionally walked, bringing up Johnny Davis with runners at first and second.
The speedster chopped a grounder to the right side, but an errant catch by Johan Camargo at third allowed all hands to be safe and loaded the bases for Ortega (2x5, RBI), who sent a long single just shy of the warning track to score Garcia for the winning run.
Biloxi (27-32, 66-62) generated the first two runs of the game to pull ahead of the Southern League South's first place team.
Johnny Davis (1x5, R, SB) legged out an infield single with one out on a bunt attempt for the Shuckers' fourth hit of the game. Ortega flew out to center, allowing Davis to advance to third to put the go-ahead run 90 ft. away.
Tyrone Taylor (1x3, R, RBI, SB) blooped a single just beyond the outstretched glove of second baseman Ozzie Albies, plating Davis for the 1-0 lead.
With Clint Coulter (2x4, RBI) at the dish, Taylor swiped second to give the Shuckers another runner in scoring position. The 23-year-old outfielder laced a single into left, scoring Taylor just ahead of a strong throw to the plate by Dustin Peterson for the insurance run.
Jorge Lopez, continued the series-long trend of dominant pitching by Biloxi. The 23-year-old took a shutout into the seventh inning before being lifted with runners at second and third and one out.
Stephen Gaylor singled to left with one out in front of Albies' ground rule double over the wall in right-center. The 23-year-old gave way to the bullpen as manager Mike Guerrero summoned right-hander, Josh Uhen (1-0).
Connor Lien lifted a sacrifice fly to Taylor in left to pull the visitors within a run, and moved Albies up to third on the play. Levi Hyams followed with a single to left, scoring Albies for the equalizer.
Uhen retired Dustin Peterson on a fly out to center to end the inning.
Lopez finished the night with two runs allowed in 7.1 innings on five hits, a walk and five strikeouts. The runs allowed by Lopez in the eighth stopped a string of 27.1 innings of scoreless baseball by Biloxi starters. The runs also snapped a 25-inning scoreless string by the M-Braves.
Caleb Dirks (1-1) suffered the loss with an unearned run allowed on one hit, three walks and two strikeouts.
Biloxi goes for its first ever five-game series sweep in the finale on Friday night at MGM Park. RHP Angel Ventura (1-4, 5.49) takes the mound for the Shuckers against RHP Lucs Sims (4-4, 2.54) for the Braves. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m., with coverage starting at 6:50 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.
With Thursday night's victory, fans can receive 50% off of their online orders from papajohns.com by using the promo code: Shuckers. Offer valid at participating locations along the coast.
Friday is Strikeout ALS Night and the first 1,500 fans will receive a Biloxi Shuckers Drawstring Backpack, presented by Beau Rivage Resort & Casino; Saturday is the final Post-Game Fireworks Extravaganza and special appearance by PAW Patrol; Sunday is McDonald's Family Fun Day, with pregame autographs and post-game catch on the field. It's also SuperHero Night, presented by WXXV-TV; Monday, Aug. 29 is Cancer Awareness Night with the American Cancer Society. Tuesday, Aug. 30 the Shuckers will let the good times roll with Halfway to Mardi Gras Night; Wednesday, Aug. 31 is Fan Appreciation Night featuring a post-game team autograph session. For tickets go to Ticketmaster.com or biloxishuckers.com.
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).