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Biloxi Shuckers

Ortega Is Quality, But Late Miscues Cost Shuckers

June 26, 2016 - Southern League (SL1)
Biloxi Shuckers News Release


BILOXI, MS. - The Biloxi Shuckers erased an early, 3-0 deficit, but fell to the Montgomery Biscuits, 5-3, on Sunday night at MGM Park. The loss ensures a series defeat to open up the second half for Biloxi with one game remaining in the five-game set.

Biloxi (1-3, 40-33) was handed an early scoring opportunity in the first, but came up empty. Nick Ramirez (0x3, BB) stepped up with the bases loaded and two outs in the opening frame, but struck out swinging on a 3-2 pitch to end the Shuckers' threat.

Montgomery (3-1, 37-37) plated three runs in the second to put Biloxi in an early deficit. Patrick Leonard singled and Kean Wong doubled with one out, leading up to Cade Gotta's two-run single to center. With Jake DePew at the plate, Gotta stole third base and scored on an errant throw by Jacob Nottingham.

Jorge Ortega rolled through his final five innings of work on the mound for Biloxi, as the 23-year-old retired the final 11 batters he faced to toss a season-high, seven innings, en route to his team-leading sixth quality start of the season. The native of Venezuela allowed three runs on four hits and a walk, while needing 86 pitches (61 strikes). The right-hander did not allow a hit after Gotta's two-run single, but did walk a man and hit a batter.

The Shuckers sent two across the plate in the third to cut away at the deficit. Chris McFarland (2x4, R, 2B) started the inning with a double to the gap in left-center, and Angel Ortega (2x3, RBI, R) was hit by a pitch to put the first two batters on base. After Johnny Davis (0x5) and Nottingham (1x5) were retired, Brett Phillips (0x4, BB) drew a free pass to load the bases for Garrett Cooper (2x3, 2 RBI, BB).

Biloxi's right fielder lined the second pitch of the at-bat to right field, plating McFarland and Ortega to climb within a run.

Gabriel Noriega (1x4, R) started a one-out rally in the sixth with a single to right. McFarland poked a single up the middle to put runners at first and second for Ortega, and the 22-year-old smacked a single to center to score Noriega and end the night for Biscuits' starter, Chris Kirsch.

Tristan Archer (2-3) relieved Ortega to start the eighth and set the side down in order. The difference in the game came in the ninth against the right-handed reliever.

Jake Bauers led off the final frame with a single to right, stole second with Casey Gillaspie at the plate, and advanced to third on an errant throw by Nottingham. Patrick Leonard was hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners for Kean Wong, who hit a slow dribbler down the first base line. Ramirez fired home, but the throw went wide of Nottingham to allow the go-ahead run to score and move the base runners 90 ft. Gotta lifted a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Leonard from third for the insurance run.

Kyle Winkler (SV, 2) earned his second save of the series by striking out the side after allowing a leadoff single to Ortega.

The Shuckers will look to salvage the series in the finale on Monday night at MGM Park. RHP Brandon Woodruff (2-4, 4.73) takes the mound for Biloxi, while Montgomery will turn to RHP Yonny Chirinios for his first Double-A start. 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.

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.

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Southern League Stories from June 26, 2016


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