Ninth inning comeback falls short in third straight loss to Blue Wahoos

PENSACOLA, FL - The Biloxi Shuckers saw a late rally come up just short on Friday night, falling 4-3 to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. With their third straight loss, the Shuckers have now dropped five consecutive series dating back to July 4. <o:p>
The Shuckers fell to 2-7 on the current ten-game road trip, and to 5.0 games out of first place, but still own the South Division's second-best overall record and would face the first-place Blue Wahoos in the playoffs if the season ended today.

Making his sixth Biloxi start, Freddy Peralta (L, 1-3) turned in a quality start for the Shuckers, allowing four runs, three earned in 6.0 innings. The righty struck out six batters but didn't get enough run support to stop a personal losing skid that has now reached three decisions. In each of his seven outings since being promoted, Peralta has at least five strikeouts. He has 50 in 35.1 innings.<o:p>
Pensacola got on the board early with a first-inning RBI triple from Nick Senzel, and the Blue Wahoos third baseman added a solo home run in the third to extend the lead to 2-0. Last year's second overall draft pick would finish 4-for-4, just a double shy of the cycle.<o:p>
In the fourth, the Blue Wahoos used some déjà vu to double their lead, as both Josh Van Meter and Aristides Aquino reached base, stole second, took third on a throwing error from catcher René García, and scored on a Peralta wild pitch.<o:p>
Blue Wahoos starter José López (W, 5-1) kept the Shuckers in check all night, allowing just four hits over 7.0 solid innings. His only blemish came in the fifth when Javier Betancourt singled and Peralta followed with his first professional base hit to put the Shuckers on the board.<o:p>
Zack Weiss (S, 7) struggled in the ninth, allowing a two-run opposite field home run to Dustin DeMuth to bring the Shuckers within a run, but recovered to retire the next three batters and close out Pensacola's third straight victory over the Shuckers.<o:p>
The Shuckers will look to salvage the series finale on Saturday as Aaron Wilkerson takes his team-best nine wins to the mound opposite Pensacola righty Domingo Tapia. First pitch is at 6:35 pm CT with live coverage beginning at 6:15 pm on Cruisin' WGCM AM-1240/FM-100.9 and the Shuckers Radio Network. The game will also be available at biloxishuckers.com, MiLB.TV and TuneIn Radio.<o:p>
The Shuckers will return to MGM Park on Sunday, July 30 for a five-game series against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at any Ticketmaster outlet or bloxishucker.com.<o:p>
ABOUT THE BILOXI SHUCKERS: The Biloxi Shuckers are the Double-A Southern League Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Shuckers play at MGM Park in Biloxi, Mississippi. For more information, please visit biloxishuckers.com and follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.com.<o:p>