Shuckers Play A Dozen in Walk-Off Defeat to Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Saturday's action at Regions Field needed a season-long 12 innings to decide, as the Biloxi Shuckers (81-56, 40-27 2nd Half) traded runs in extras with the Birmingham Barons (63-71, 36-29 2nd Half), but eventually fell 6-5. Spotted a two-run lead after six innings, Biloxi slipped late, committing a pair of defensive miscues that allowed Birmingham to even the game.
Leading 4-2 in the eighth, Luis Basabe drew a lead-off walk and scored on a wild pitch from Nate Griep. Griep allowed a lead-off double to Zach Remillard in the ninth, who advanced to third on a fly ball to center. With the infield playing in, Luis Valenzuela hopped a ball to second that got through the legs of Devin Hairston and tied the game at 4-4.
After both sides went scoreless in the tenth, Weston Wilson opened the 11th with a groundball to short, advancing Dillon Thomas to third. C.J. Hinojosa was intentionally walked and Joantgel Segovia followed with a chopper to third that scored Thomas for a 5-4 lead. Anthony Bender (L, 0-1) entered to pitch in the bottom of the 11th and surrendered a game-tying double to Laz Rivera, sending the game into the 12th. 
Luis Martinez (W, 5-2) held the Shuckers scoreless in the 12th with a sacrifice bunt, groundout and strikeout. Still knotted at five, Ti-Quan Forbes opened the Birmingham half of the frame with a sacrifice bunt, pushing Valenzuela to third. Basabe followed reached on an infield single and Blake Rutherford was intentionally walked to load the bases for Gavin Sheets. Hitting against a five-man infield, Sheets lifted a fly into right field and scored Valenzuela to win the game. 
Biloxi recovered from a pair of deficits early on in the game and jumped to a two-run lead. Weston Wilson drilled his 19thhome run of the season to tie the game at 1-1 in the fourth. Down 2-1 in the sixth, Cooper Hummel lined a triple off the right-field wall and scored on a Thomas double. Alec Hansen then replaced Blake Battenfield, and proceeded to walk Wilson and Hinojosa to load the bases. After a pair of strikeouts, Hansen gave Biloxi 3-2 lead, issuing a bases-loaded walk to Hairston. With Alexander Alvarez at the plate, Wilson scampered home on a passed ball, jumping the advantage to 4-2. 
Prior to Birmingham's two-run comeback, Dylan File delivered a quality start, allowing a run in the third and fourth innings but recovering to work six complete frames while striking out six and not issuing a walk.      
The Shuckers continue their final series of the regular season on Sunday in Birmingham with first pitch scheduled for 4:00 pm CT. Biloxi will send RHP Cameron Roegner (5-5, 4.44) to the mound and Birmingham will throw LHP Tanner Banks (4-7, 4.46). The game can be heard locally in Biloxi on Cruisin' WGCM AM 1240/100.9 FM, TuneIn Radio or the MiLB First Pitch App and can be seen on MiLB.TV. Fans can save $10 off their subscription when they use the promo code 'Shuckers' at checkout.
With the 2020 Southern League schedule announced, Shuck Nation Memberships for the 2020 season are available by calling 228-233-3465 or by visiting the Biloxi Shuckers front office. The Biloxi Shuckers will host Game 1 and Game 2 of the South Division Championship Series on September 4 & 5 at MGM Park. Tickets for all six potential playoff games at MGM Park are on sale now.
ABOUT THE BILOXI SHUCKERS:
The Biloxi Shuckers are the Double-A 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.