Shuckers fall to Biscuits, avoid being no-hit
The Biloxi Shuckers rallied in the bottom of the ninth inning Thursday to score two runs, but they failed to overcome a three-run deficit and fell to the Montgomery Biscuits 3-2 at MGM Park.
Montgomery dominated the first eight innings, with Hunter Woods denying the Shuckers a hit in the first six innings. Ryne Stanek did the same in seventh and eighth, but he walked Johnny Davis and Jacob Nottingham in the bottom of the ninth before Brett Phillips singled for the Shuckers’ first hit, loading the bases.
Garrett Cooper launched a hit to right field to score Davis and Nottingham, and with no outs and runners on first and second, things looked pretty good for the Shuckers. But the Biscuits (35-36) retired the next three Shuckers (39-31) in order as Tyrone Taylor popped up to second base, Nick Ramirez struck out and Montgomery made a nice play on Gabriel Noriega’s groundball to the shortstop.
“For eight innings, we were shut down completely,” Shuckers manager Mike Guerrero said. “To have the opportunity to win the game is very exciting. You’re never done until you’re done. That’s the character of this team — never giving up. That’s a compliment to this team.”
Wood rolled through the first six innings but was hit on the hand by a hard Nottingham line drive and was pulled after 74 pitches.
“They threw the ball well,” Guerrero said. “Their starter was outstanding.”
The Shuckers gave up two runs in the third inning and a home run in the fourth. Adrian Houser pitched the first four innings for the Shuckers and Tristan Archer, Tyler Spurlin and Stephen Kohlscheen all pitched in relief.
Montgomery opened the third inning with two hits. A sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third and a line drive to center field scored the first run. Another hit scored the second run.
Patrick Leonard launched a full-count pitch over the left field fence for a home run for Montgomery in the fourth.
Houser fell to 3-7, surrendering three runs on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts.
Roster moves
The Milwaukee Brewers announced two roster moves before Thursday’s game. Shortstop Angel Ortega was promoted to the Shuckers from Brevard County and promptly made his Double-A debut after batting .275 for Brevard. Shuckers infielder Nathan Orf is back at Triple-A Colorado Springs.
This story was originally published June 23, 2016 at 11:13 PM with the headline "Shuckers fall to Biscuits, avoid being no-hit."