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 Biloxi Shuckers

Big Innings Cost Shuckers

July 12, 2016 - Southern League (SL1)
Biloxi Shuckers News Release


PENSACOLA, FL. - The Biloxi Shuckers fell behind 5-0 after the first inning and dropped game four of the five-game series with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, 9-0, on Tuesday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Pensacola scored all nine of their runs in two big innings, pushing five across in the first and four over in the seventh. The Shuckers have dropped three of their first four series to start the second half and are overall, 9-8-1 in series play.

For a second straight start, Jorge Ortega allowed five runs in the first inning to put the Shuckers in an early hole. Jeff Gelalich started the bottom half of the opening frame by driving a single to right, and Alex Blandino popped up to second for the first out. Four straight batters reached for Pensacola, leading to the first three runs of the game.

Phillip Ervin drew a free pass to put runners on first and second for Sebastian Elizalde, who drove a triple past a diving Johnny Davis to the gap in left-center to bring around Gelalich and Ervin. Taylor Sparks ripped a single through a drawn-in infield on the left side to bring home Elizalde from third.

Zach Vincej continued the hit parade with a single to center before Eric Jagielo popped up to Javier Betancourt at second for the second out. A wild pitch with Joe Hudson at the plate allowed both runners to advance 90 ft. The Blue Wahoos' catcher drove a two-run single to center to cap off the five-run inning.

Ortega (1-8) allowed two out singles in the second and third innings, but did not allow any more runs in his remaining five innings on the night. The 23-year-old retired the final 10 batters and 16 of 18, finishing the start with five runs allowed on seven hits, a walk and five strikeouts on a season-high, 101 pitches (76 strikes).

Tyrone Taylor (3x4, 2B, 3B) broke up Sal Romano's perfect game with a leadoff double in the fourth. Angel Ortega (0x4), Brett Phillips (0x3, BB) and Jacob Nottingham (1x3, BB) would go down in order after the extra-base hit to leave the runner in scoring position.

The right fielder tripled for the first time this season his next time up in the sixth. The Milwaukee Brewers' seventh-ranked prospect has reached base safely in 12 of his last 13 games and is batting .338 in the second half. Taylor added a single in the eighth for the fourth hit of the game for Biloxi (6-13, 45-43), keeping him a home run short of the cycle.

Nottingham notched the third hit of the game for the Shuckers with a single to left with one out in the seventh.

Romano (2-10) earned his first win since May 4 for Pensacola (against Biloxi), tying a season-high with seven innings in the Cincinnati Reds' ninth-ranked prospect's first scoreless performance of the season. The right-hander tied a season-high with nine strikeouts, issued one walk, and gave up three hits.

The Blue Wahoos added on four more runs against Brett Lee in the seventh to break the game open to a nine-run advantage. The southpaw surrendered a three-run double to Ervin before retiring Elizalde on a groundout to first to record the first out of the inning. The Pensacola, Fla. native gave way to Gage Smith out of the bullpen.

The sidewinding right-hander struck out Sparks to start his ninth appearance of the season at the Double-A level, but gave up an RBI single to Vincej to extend the deficit to nine.

Biloxi loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth in an effort to break up the shutout, but Davis struck out looking to end the game and hand the visitors their sixth shutout of the season.

The Shuckers will look to salvage two wins in the series in game five at Blue Wahoos Stadium on Wednesday night. RHP Brandon Woodruff (3-6, 4.62) looks to rebound after suffering a loss to the Jacksonville Suns his last time out on July 8 for Biloxi. RHP Nick Travieso (4-4, 4.35) seeks his fourth quality start in his last five outings for Pensacola (9-10, 50-39). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., with coverage starting at 6:10 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 Shuckers return to MGM Park for a five-game series against the Birmingham Barons beginning Thursday, July 14. Game one of the series will be Biloxi/D'Iberville Community Night at the ballpark, where members of the two communities will be recognized plus its another Double Play Thursday $2 ballpark specials. Friday, July 15 is a Mississippi Forestry Commission Youth Baseball Giveaway, where the first 1,000 kids (12 and under) will receive a free youth baseball. Saturday, July 16, will feature a Post-game Fireworks Extravaganza presented by Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Sunday, July 17 will be another McDonald's Family Fun Day.

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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