SL1 Biloxi Shuckers

Hader, Shuckers Pitching Help Deliver Win over Wahoos

Published on April 18, 2016 under Southern League (SL1)
Biloxi Shuckers News Release


BILOXI, MS. - The Biloxi Shuckers jumped out to an early lead over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Monday night and rode a strong pitching performance from Josh Hader and company to a 5-2 victory at MGM Park. Hader and reliever Tristan Archer carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning on Monday night. The Shuckers move to within a half game of the Wahoos in the Southern League South Division standings.

Biloxi took advantage a defensive miscue in the first innings, as Brett Phillips (0x4, R) reached on an error by first baseman Brandon Dixon, giving the Shuckers a one-out baserunner. A wild pitch to Jacob Nottingham (1x3, R, BB) moved Phillips up before the catcher walked with two outs to put men on first and second, setting up Garrett Cooper's (2x4, RBI) RBI single to left to give the hometown team a one-run lead. Cooper leads the club with eight RBIs on the season.

Hader struggled to put hitters away early on in the game, leading to a heavy workload through his four innings. The southpaw needed 83 pitches - 50 strikes - to make it through the short night, walking three and striking out five. The 22-year-old has yet to make it through five innings in his three starts to begin the year.

The Shuckers added insurance in the fourth, stringing together three-consecutive singles to start the two-run frame.

Nathan Orf (1x3, R, BB), Nottingham and Cooper reached against Amir Garrett before Victor Roache (0x3) popped out to short for the first out of the inning. Javier Betancourt (2x3, 2 RBI) followed with a single to left to bring in Orf and Cooper. The 20-year-old shortstop extended his on-base streak to eight games with a two-hit night.

Pensacola put up a two-spot in the seventh to chip into the Shuckers' lead. Tony Renda singled against Tristan Archer (1-0) to break up the combined no-hit bid start things out. Brandon Dixon followed with a fielder's choice and moved up to second one batter later after Sebastian Elizalde's single to center. Beau Amaral drove the runners home with a triple to center to cut the Shuckers' lead to one.

Nick Ramirez (1x1, HR, RBI, R) brought the lead back to two with a pinch-hit, two-run homerun to right in the bottom half of the inning, providing plenty of cushion for the Shuckers' bullpen.

Jaye Chapman (SV, 4) worked a perfect ninth for his fourth save of the season. The righty has not allowed a baserunner in five games - 15 batters faced.

Biloxi aims to take the lead in the five-game series on Tuesday night against Pensacola. RHP Javi Salas (1-1, 4.22) makes his third start of the year for the Shuckers, while the Blue Wahoos counter with the Cincinnati Reds' ninth-ranked prospect (Baseball America) Sal Rromano (0-0, 2.60) First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m., with coverage starting at 6:20 p.m. on the Biloxi Shuckers' Radio Network's flagship station, WGCM 1240-AM, 100.9-FM, WPMO 1580-AM, and the TuneIn Radio app. The contest can also be seen on milb.tv.

The series continues through Thursday with a special 10:40 am start time on Wednesday for Education Day and the series wraps up on Thursday at 6:40 pm. Thursday will be Donate Life Night with the first 1,000 fans receiving a Biloxi Shuckers cap, courtesy of the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency. It's also the first Double Play Thursday, featuring $2 hot dogs and regular soft drinks and $2 off select draft beer and reserved tickets.

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 April 18, 2016


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