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SL1 Biloxi Shuckers

Homers Early and Late Help Biloxi Top Jackson

July 25, 2018 - Southern League (SL1)
Biloxi Shuckers News Release


JACKSON, TN - Corey Ray and Keston Hiura homered to book ended the Biloxi Shuckers (60-41, 19-12) 7-3 victory over the Jackson Generals (54-46, 15-17) on Tuesday night at the Ballpark at Jackson. Jake Gatewood exited the game for the Shuckers in the eighth with a leg injury.

It took just three pitches for the Shuckers to get on the board. Corey Ray launched a 2-0 pitch from RHP Justin Donatella (L, 4-6) over the right field wall for his 20th home run of the season. Ray is the first player in Minor League Baseball to hit 20 home runs and steal at least 20 bases this season. Biloxi tagged on another run after Troy Stokes Jr. doubled, stole third and scored on a single by Lucas Erceg.

Jackson sent six men to the plate in the bottom of the first, scoring a run on a sacrifice fly by Rudy Flores. RHP Luis Ortiz (W, 2-4) settled in after the first, allowing just two hits and a walk in the remainder of his outing. All told, the righty hurled five frames and allowed one run on four hits while walking one and striking out three.

Biloxi added a run in the third on a double by Gatewood, stretching their advantage to 3-1. The Shuckers would load the bases in the top of the fourth, but scored just one run on a fielder's choice by Corey Ray, pushing Biloxi to a 4-1 lead.

Jamie Westbrook greeted RHP Cody Ponce (H, 1) with a solo home run to start the bottom of the sixth, Westbrook's 15th of the season, pulling Jackson within two runs at 4-2.

In the top of the eighth, Gatewood bounced a ball to short and reached on a throwing error by Kevin Medrano. After crossing the bag, Gatewood tumbled to the ground with an apparent injury to his left leg. He exited the game and is listed as day-to-day. In the bottom of the frame, Westbrook reached on an error and scored on a single by Daniel Robertson, ending Ponce's night. RHP Nate Griep (S, 26) came into the game and retired the next two batters side to maintain a 4-3 Shuckers advantage.

Facing RHP Yoan Lopez in the top of the ninth, Ray singled to right and stole second, his second steal of the evening. Stoke then walked, setting the stage for Hiura, who turned on a fastball and sent it over the left field wall, his fourth homer of the season, to put Biloxi in front 7-3. His homer left the bat at 105 mph according to TrackMan data.

Given a cushion, Griep allowed just a single in the bottom of the ninth to Jay Gonzalez. With two outs, Gonzalez attempted to steal second, but was thrown out by Max McDowell, ending the game.

With the series even at a game apiece, Biloxi squares off with Jackson on Wednesday night at 6:05 PM. Biloxi is slated to send LHP Kodi Medeiros (7-4, 3.20) to the bump against Generals RHP Joel Payamps (8-3, 2.99). The game can be heard locally on Cruisin' WGCM AM 1240/FM 100.9, TuneIn Radio or the MiLB First Pitch App.

Single game tickets for the Biloxi Shuckers 2018 season can be purchased at the MGM Park box office or over the phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Playoff tickets, half-season tickets, flex plans and group outings are also available and can be reserved by calling 228-233-3465 or visiting www.biloxishuckers.com.

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Southern League Stories from July 25, 2018


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