Link Report for Saturday 6/6 - Welcome Home, Biloxi!

[Mass Haas]

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/store/dailylinkreport.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Saturday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Colorado Springs: RHP Tim Dillard at Omaha (Royals), 6:35 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

We welcome Dan Karcher, who is the longtime play-by-play voice of the Sky Sox; follow him on Twitter @SkySoxKarch

 

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; all Colorado Springs games, home and away, will be available to watch via MiLB.TV's $49.99 season-long package ($12.99 to pay for a single month). The audio feed is from the home team. The video of each game is archived online, which is a nice feature. All MiLB.TV details available at the link.

 

NOTE: Notice that on MiLB.TV's page, you can click on "Filter", then "Milwaukee Brewers", and you'll see just the Crew's organizational TV lineup.

 

**********

 

Biloxi: RHP Tyler Wagner at home vs. Mobile (Diamondbacks), 6:55 PM pre-game, 7:10 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

We also welcome Chris Harris as the very first play-by-play voice of the Shuckers! Follow Chris on Twitter @CHarris731. We'll be looking off to his very promising "Shuck Dynasty" blog. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be radio broadcast.

 

MiLB.TV - Seven of the ten Southern League teams telecast their home games, and Biloxi staff indicates it is hopeful it will be eight when the new stadium opens.

 

**********

 

Brevard County: LHP Wei-Chung Wang and RHP Javi Salas in a doubleheader at home vs. Dunedin (Blue Jays), 3:35 PM pre-game, 4:05 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

Dave Walkovic returns as the play-by-play voice of the 'Tees; follow the Brevard broadcast booth staff on Twitter @BCManateesRadio, as all home games and the "commuter" road games are scheduled to be broadcast in 2015.

 

No Florida State League games are available via MiLB.TV.

 

**********

 

Wisconsin: RHP Devin Williams at home vs. Fort Wayne (Padres), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime; expect to see RHP Angel Ventura pitch in a tandem role

 

Free Live Audio Link - WNAM

 

Chris Mehring is back to do his customary fantastic work as the Voice of the Rattlers. Follow him on Twitter @CMehring; we'll link to Chris' infamous blog often -- Rattler Radio.

 

NOTE: Forty-two (!) of the Rattlers' 70 home games will be broadcast on TV this season. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel (9) and WACY-TV My NEW32 (34) will split duties. We'll let you know when and who, and remember to refer to the Rattlers' full TV schedule (scroll to bottom of link) so you can coordinate your DVR activity.

 

So, for the $49.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sky Sox games, most Shuckers games, and all Timber Rattlers home games and some road games.

 

***

 

DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Tigers, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until later in the day

 

We'll link to this Dominican Summer League Brewers' thread as part of the Daily Menu all season to assist you with your familiarity with these young men.

[Mass Haas]

DVR ALERT!

 

The Timber Rattlers are nearing the end of a stretch of being on local TV five times in six days. Tonight's game is on MyNew32 TV, 6:30 PM airtime.

 

Refer to the Rattlers' full TV schedule (scroll to bottom of link) so you can coordinate your DVR activity.

[Mass Haas]

Especially with a big league day game out of the way Saturday, I'm sure many of us would like to watch this evening's Biloxi Grand Opening via MiLB.TV.

 

We have a note into Chris Harris, but the MiLB.TV website doesn't list a link for tonight, and with so many new things to work out, it will likely be a bit before the Shuckers games are available (other than audio, of course).

 

If we get news that things change prior to tonight's opener, we'll let you know. A reminder that MiLB.TV games archive as well -- all with your necessary subscription.

[Mass Haas]

Follow Saturday's action as it happens with box score / game log links:

 

Colorado Springs

 

Biloxi

 

Brevard County Game One

 

Brevard County Game Two

 

Wisconsin

 

DSL Brewers

 

MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

[Mass Haas]

To see tweets as to when the Link Report has been technically "completed" with available links, as well as to know when the new day's Report has been posted, please follow @Mass_Haas on Twitter.

[Mass Haas]

Look for these just prior to the respective game times --

 

Biloxi Media Notes - Linked on the Shuck Dynasty blog

 

Brevard County Media Notes - It's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Multimedia" banner on the Manatees' site.

 

Wisconsin Media Notes - Linked on the Rattler Radio blog

 

***

 

STANDINGS:

 

AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division

 

AA - Southern League South Division

 

High-A - Florida State League North Division

 

A - Midwest League Western Division

 

***

 

Sortable individual stat pages:

 

Colorado Springs

 

Biloxi

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

***

 

Weather.com:

 

Omaha, NE

 

Biloxi, MS

 

Viera, FL

 

Grand Chute, WI

 

San Pedro de Macoris, DR

[Mass Haas]

Another Manatees jerseys auction, all you collectible folks! Habitat for Humanity Toolkit Jerseys -- deadline is 10:59 PM Central Saturday night.

 

http://manatees.milbauctions.com/images/stores/87/500/Front_500.jpg

[Mass Haas]

ONLINE AUCTION: Four of the Timber Rattlers' Appleton Foxes Throwback Jerseys are available in an online auction, including Dustin DeMuth's.

[Mass Haas]

Prospect watchers (and why else would you be reading the Link Report?!), be sure to read this update on injury status and such posted in the now-updated April extended spring training thread.

[WV Brew]

Michael Ratterree starting in CF in game one. No more Clint Coulter in centerfield, I'm assuming. Ratterree won a minor league gold glove last year albeit for right field.

[WV Brew]

Well. Welcome back Michael Ratterree! Walk off home run in the 8th (extra innings for the double header 7 inning game).

[Eye Black]

A come from behind walk-off win in the 14th inning for the Shuckers! What a perfect start to baseball in Biloxi.

[TheCrew07]

Rattlers homer their way past Fort Wayne

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/7/5/2/129067752/cuts/6_June_6_Sthervin_Matos_t7nekk4l_irg0mzt2.jpg

Sthervin Matos homered and drove in a pair of runs for the Timber Rattlers in a win over the Fort Wayne TinCaps on Saturday night. (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers/Ann Mollica)

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers got home runs from Sthervin Matos and Elvis Rubio and some solid pitching to defeat the Fort Wayne TinCaps 4-2 on Saturday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium in front of the biggest home crowd of the season.

 

Sthervin Matos gave the Timber Rattlers (17-39) a 2-0 lead with something the Rattlers haven't had at home since April 26, a home run. Matos lined a two-run homer to left-center in the bottom of the first inning to give the 6,117 fans something to cheer. Later in the inning, Jake Gatewood doubled to drive in a run.

 

Fort Wayne (23-32) cut the lead to one run with a pair of runs in the top of the second inning. Franmil Reyes drew a leadoff walk and Edwin Moreno followed with a single. Miguel Del Castillo doubled to drive in Reyes and send Moreno to third base. Felipe Blanco grounded out to second for the first out and drove in Moreno. That would be it for the TinCaps. Devin Williams retired the next two batters in the second to keep the tying run at third base.

 

In the third, a controversial call allowed Nick Torres to reach base with one out. He popped out to Wisconsin second baseman Tucker Neuhaus for the apparent second out of the frame. But, the ball popped away from Neuhaus as he transferred the ball to his throwing hand and the call was no catch. Trae Santos came to the plate and singled to put runners on the corners. Williams would get out of the inning by getting Reyes to ground into a 6-4-3 double play to keep the Rattlers in front.

 

Wisconsin didn't have to wait twenty games between homers at home after the Matos blast. Elvis Rubio padded the Timber Rattlers lead with a one out solo home run in the bottom of the fourth and the score was 4-2.

 

Williams left the game with two on and two out in the top of the sixth inning in favor of Scott Lieser, who got Del Castillo to foul out to first for the final out of the sixth. Williams allowed two runs on five hits over 5-2/3 innings with two walks and three strikeouts. His performance put him in line for his first Midwest League victory.

 

Angel Ventura took over on the mound in the top of the seventh and he would toss three scoreless innings to nail down the win for Williams and earn his second save of the season.

 

The Timber Rattlers and TinCaps play game two of the series on Sunday afternoon. Cy Sneed (2-7, 2.52) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Fort Wayne has named Ernesto Montas (4-4, 4.47) as their starter. Game time is 1:05pm.

 

The Ballpark Pup returns to the Fox Cities on Sunday. The Timber Rattlers present Milwaukee Brewers mascot Hank the Dog, who will be making a personal appearance courtesy of Fox Valley Animal Referral Center and Fromm Family Foods. Hank will be available to meet with fans on the third base concourse at the beginning of the game.

 

Fans are encouraged to wear a red shirt to help celebrate World Blood Donor Day and form a human blood drop on the field at 12:30 pm with the Community Blood Center.

 

There is also catch on the field courtesy of Rasmussen College starting at noon and as part of 107.5, The Fan's Brewers Sunday, Timber Rattlers players will wear their special Brewers Sunday jerseys for this game. Players will be available for a postgame autograph session sponsored by Tundraland Home Improvements, too.

 

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, the radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 12:45pm. The broadcast may also be heard on Tune In Radio and IHeartRadio. Subscribers to MiLB.TV can see the game that way.

 

HOME RUNS:

WIS:

Sthervin Matos (4th, 1 on in 1st inning off Thomas Dorminy, 1 out)

Elvis Rubio (1st, 0 on in 4th inning off Thomas Dorminy, 1 out)

 

WP: Devin Williams (1-3)

LP: Thomas Dorminy (5-4)

 

TIME: 2:36

ATTN: 6,117

 

Postgame Post – June 6, 2015

The usual post game awesomeness from Chris and the gang.

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

This is the 2nd consecutive start that I chose family and friends over Devin Williams and once again I regret it. I'm going to continue beat this drum but Angel Ventura is the best Brewer pitching prospect no one is talking about.

 

Jake Gatewood is hitting .250 over his last 10 games, normally that wouldn't be something I would highlight but he's finally inched his AVE up over .200 just in time to get dropped to Helena.

 

As mentioned above Sthervin Matos (2-4,HR) had a nice game at the plate, Brandon Diaz (2-3) had the other multi-hit game.

 

Wisconsin Recap

[WV Brew]

Ratterree, Manatees Walk Off in Game One

Ratterree's First Hit as a Manatee Lifts Brevard

By Dave Walkovic / Brevard County Manatees

06/07/2015 12:57 AM ET

 

 

Viera, Fla. - Michael Ratterree's first hit at Space Coast Stadium was a walk-off home run as the Brevard County Manatees (24-30) defeated the Dunedin Blue Jays (23-32) 3-2 in game one of Saturday's doubleheader.

 

With the game tied at two in the bottom of the eighth inning, Ratterree launched a solo home run to left-center field to win the game for Brevard County. It was Ratterree's first hit and home run in a Manatees' uniform. Justin Shafer (1-5, 8.69) surrendered the extra-innings blast.

 

The Manatees forced extras by scoring a run in the bottom of the seventh off of Alberto Tirado. Omar Garcia drew a leadoff walk and was sacrificed to second by Angel Ortega. Back-to-back errors by the Blue Jays allowed the tying run to score. First, Chris McFarland reached on a fielder's choice and a throwing error by Shafer to move runners to second and third. Then, Taylor Brennan reached on a fielding error by Dawel Lugo. Garcia scored and McFarland moved to third. Shafer retired Clint Coulter and Victor Roache to keep the game tied.

 

Dunedin had taken a one-run lead in the top of the seventh when L.B. Dantzler blasted a solo homer off of Preston Gainey. That was the only hit that Gainey (2-1, 0.71 ERA) allowed it 2.2 innings.

 

Brevard County starter Wei-Chung Wang did not factor into the decision. He allowed one run on seven hits over 5.1 innings. Wang did not walk a batter and fanned four. The lone run against Wang scored on a first-inning RBI double by Matt Dean.

 

The first Brevard run of the game came in the bottom of the fifth. Steven Halcomb was hit by a pitch with no outs. After an Ortega sac bunt, McFarland singled to center to plate Halcomb.

 

Ratterree's home run was the fourth walk-off hit of the year and second walk-off home run of the season for Brevard County.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Lot of hard throwers in this game. Blue Jays' starter Jeff Hoffman was the Jays number one pick last year and 9th overall. He is coming back from Tommy John surgery and has a limited pitch count. He was hitting up to 98. Clint Coulter had two hits off him which were the only hits he gave up. Someone asked about Preston Gainey's velocity a while back. He was hitting 97 a couple of times in this game. The Jays 7th inning home run off Gainey came with two outs and two strikes. The tying run in the bottom of the 7th came as a gift to the Manatees with a walk, sacrifice bunt and two errors. Garrett Cooper had his hitting streak ended.

 

Brevard County Game Log

[WV Brew]

Murphy Dazzles in Game Two; Dunedin wins, 5-0

Blue Jays Blank Brevard to Earn Doubleheader Split

By Dave Walkovic / Brevard County Manatees

06/07/2015 12:59 AM ET

 

 

 

Viera, Fla. - Murphy Smith tossed a complete game shutout as the Dunedin Blue Jays (24-32) defeated the Brevard County Manatees (24-31) in game two of Saturday's doubleheader at Space Coast Stadium.

 

Smith (3-3, 3.06 ERA) carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before Omar Garcia lined a two-out single to center. Overall, Smith allowed just three hits and a walk. He struck out 11 in his seven-inning, complete game shutout.

 

With the game tied at zero, Dunedin exploded for four runs in the sixth. Martin Medina singled off of Tristan Archer to leadoff the frame. Two batters later, Roemon Fields singled to center to end Archer's night. Kaleb Earls was summoned from the bullpen. Christian Lopes smacked a ground-rule double over the left-field wall to open the scoring. J.D. Davis then bounced a ball up the middle that couldn't be handled by Angel Ortega. Both Fields and Lopes scored to give Dunedin a 3-0 lead. Davis advanced to second on the play and then scored on L.B. Dantzler's RBI single. Archer (1-2, 2.66 ERA) was hit with the loss in his first start of the season. He allowed two runs on five hits and one walk in 5.1 innings.

 

Earls surrendered three runs - one earned - on two hits in 1.2 innings of work.

 

The Manatees will enjoy a league wide off day tomorrow before heading on the road to open a four-game series in Palm Beach.

 

Brevard County Box Score Game Two

 

Brevard County Game Log Game Two

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: In his first game with Brevard County, Michael Ratterree launches a walk-off homer to defeat Dunedin

[Mass Haas]

Final: DSL Tigers 4, DSL Brewers 2

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

Each team managed just seven hits as the Cerveceritos fall to 2-5.

 

Super-encouraging was the work of 2nd-year 18-year-old Panamanian Brewers RHP Carlos Luna - 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 9 K. Luna has yet to walk a batter in his two starts, covering 10.2 innings (just two earned runs). Luna had made 12 solid relief appearances at age 17 last summer (ERA 3.51).

 

Former Phillies RHP Yan De La Cruz took the loss, and hulking 6'3", 245 lb. 19-year-old RHP Jesus Brea struck out the side in his only inning, a scoreless frame. (We're listing height/weight numbers provided to us by the Brewers).

 

DSL Brewers Game Log

 

Puerto Rican CF Ariel Estades has already attempted six stolen bases (4-for-6). Catcher Sandy Martinez, the former stateside Angel, made his Brewer debut (0-for-3, HBP).

 

The offensive star was just-turned 18-year-old 2B Franly Mallen, 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI.

[Mass Haas]

Putting this in a separate post so all his future announcers know, for Dominican middle infielder Franly Mallen ($800,000 bonus), Mallen's last name is pronounced "my'-enn", as per the Brewers.

[Mass Haas]

MiLB Feature: Here's the background on the "veteran" Blue Jay farmhand who nearly no-hit the Manatees in the doubleheader nightcap.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Colorado Springs 9, Omaha 7

 

Sky Sox Outlast Storm Chasers in 9-7 Win

Colorado Springs Pounds Out 15 Hits As Bullpen Bests Omaha In See-Saw Battle

By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/7/5/8/129106758/cuts/05_14_120sm_pk_jcqpi8hl_lt3iwzce.jpg

 

Michael Kirkman's 1.2 innings of scoreless relief helped stabilize the ballgame in the Sox 9-7 win on Saturday. (File Photo from prior game)

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The Sky Sox scored early and often in Saturday's 9-7 win over the defending PCL champion Omaha Storm Chasers before a crowd of 6,321 at Werner Park.

 

In what would be a see-saw battle for the entirety of the ballgame, Colorado Springs would battle their way to a 6-5 lead heading into the home third. Sox starter Tim Dillard would be tagged for his sixth run in the third, the last he allowed in a four-inning start where the usual reliever gave up seven hits and four free passes while striking out two.

 

The Sox offense got to Omaha starter John Lamb for seven runs (three earned) over his five innings of work thanks primarily to two RBI sacrifice flies by Matt Clark and a two-out, two-run home run by Matt Long in the top of the third.

 

The Storm Chasers would tie the game at seven in the bottom of the fifth, immediately after the Sox regained it in the top half of the frame, against reliever Wirfin Obispo. The right-hander would work two innings, giving up just the one run on three hits while striking out three to maintain the tie.

 

The Sox would break the tie for good in the top of the eighth inning against Omaha reliever Brian Broderick (3-2, 2.84) thanks to an Elian Herrera RBI double that scored Scooter Gennett to give the visiting side an 8-7 lead. Colorado Springs tacked on another run in the frame on a Robinzon Diaz double play groundout.

 

Michael Kirkman (1-0, 3.55) came out of the Sox bullpen, replacing Obispo in hopes of maintaining the tie and eventual lead. The left-hander tossed 1.2 innings of one hit ball, striking out three along the way to earning the victory. Recently promoted reliever Jaye Chapman came in to close out the ballgame with a scoreless ninth to earn his first Sky Sox save while helping the team to a great start to the road trip.

 

The Sky Sox move to 22-32 with their second straight victory as the Storm Chasers fall to 29-28.

 

After a tough luck loss in an MLB debut that saw him toss seven innings of one-run ball against the powerhouse St. Louis Cardinals, Tyler Cravy (5-4, 4.04) is set to lead the charge against Omaha righty Casey Coleman (0-1, 4.45) in game two of this four-game set on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is slated for 1:05 PM MDT (2:05 Central) at Werner Park in Omaha.

 

Colorado Springs Box Score

 

Not a misprint -- in his 50 Sky Sox AB's, Elian Herrera, playing LF here, has a 1.226 OPS. That's insane.

 

Big three-hit nights for 2B Scooter Gennett (two 2B's, BB, RBI), 3B Donnie Murphy (2B, BB, RBI), and RF Matt Long (HR, 2B, three RBI). Long batted 9th as all the PCL box score averages look good overall, save for Logan Schafer's .222.

 

Colorado Springs Game Log

 

Pitching details were covered sufficiently for this "bullpen game" in the summary above...

[Mass Haas]

Omaha's day spent chasing equipment, Sky Sox

By Tony Boone / Omaha World-Herald staff writer

 

On a wacky, windy night at Werner Park, the last player to enter the game finally settled things down.

 

Colorado Springs reliever Jaye Chapman came on in the bottom of the eighth inning with his team leading by two runs. But Omaha had the bases loaded with two outs, and Paulo Orlando was due up.

 

“Those situations can speed up on you pretty quick, so you’ve just got to do your best to slow it down and take it one pitch at a time,” Chapman said. “That’s what we tried to do, attack him with sliders and throw one good pitch at a time. Count-control is huge. When you get behind, these guys are good and they’ll make you pay for it. To get ahead with good pitches is everything. It makes the whole at-bat.”

 

The right-hander quickly dealt the Storm Chasers outfielder two called strikes. After wasting a pitch, he then got Orlando, who was sent back to Omaha by Kansas City last week, to chase one to end the threat.

 

Chapman then pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to cap a wild 9-7 win by Colorado Springs in the series opener.

 

The Sky Sox had leads of 1-0, 3-1 and 6-5 during the first three innings. Matt Long hit a two-run homer and Matt Clark had a pair of sacrifice flies for Colorado Springs. Rey Fuentes tripled in three runs and Orlando Calixte had an RBI triple for the Chasers, who rallied to tie the game or take the lead each time.

 

Moises Sierra pulled Omaha even, at 7-7, for a fourth time later with his first homer of the season in the fifth.

 

Starting pitchers Tim Dillard and John Lamb entered the night with earned run averages of 2.40 and 2.74, respectively. Neither factored in the decision. Dillard lasted only four innings, and Lamb went five.

 

Both were nearly hit by a line drive while facing their first batter of the night. Chasers reliever Brian Broderick did get drilled in the eighth after serving up consecutive doubles that put the Sox up to stay.

 

Elian Herrera’s run-scoring hit broke the tie, then Colorado Springs added an insurance run. Michael Kirkman earned the win, but not before leaving with three on for Chapman to deal with in the eighth.

 

The reliever promptly struck out Orlando en route to his first save of the year.

 

Omaha was charged with two errors in the game, which led to four unearned runs. The Chasers also had another ball bounce off the head of Fuentes in center field that allowed another base runner to score.

 

The loss capped a wild travel day for Omaha. The equipment the Chasers had in El Paso on Friday night didn’t arrive at the ballpark until nearly 30 minutes before the first pitch. Then a crazy game came after.

 

“It’s been a strange day from the get-go,” Omaha manager Brian Poldberg said. “Our bags didn’t get here until 6:30, so we almost didn’t start on time. It’s been a rough day, but that’s no excuse for the game. Guys went out and played hard. We just didn’t get a hit or make a couple of plays, and the wind was a factor. There were a lot of things that went into it.”

[Mass Haas]

Final: Biloxi 5, Mobile 4, 14 innings

 

Shuckers Open MGM Park With Dramatic Walk-off Win in 14 innings

Sold out crowd of 5,065 witness Inaugural Game in Biloxi

Biloxi Shuckers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/0/0/6/129110006/cuts/BRP_7781_2viemxb5_m8kjgkpw.jpg

 

The Shuckers celebrate a walkoff win over the Mobile BayBears at MGM Park Saturday night

 

BILOXI, MS - Baseball came back to Biloxi for the first time since 1908 Saturday and the fans got a little something extra for the wait. The Shuckers treated a sold out crowd of 5,065 to an Opening Night, 5-4 walk-off win over the Mobile BayBears at MGM Park. Nick Shaw (1x3, RBI) drilled a single to right that scored pinch runner Brent Suter and send the crowd into a frenzy, capping off the inaugural game in 14 innings. The win places Biloxi 3.5 games in front of the Mississippi Braves for first place in the Southern League South division. Saturday's game was Biloxi's second-straight extra-inning affair after winning last night 6-2 at Birmingham in 10 innings. Biloxi is now 4-3 in extra-inning contests.

 

Mobile (28-26) pulled ahead in the top of the 14th on an RBI single by former Brewer farmhand Mitch Haniger against Biloxi reliever Trevor Seidenberger (W, 1-0, 2 IP, R, 2 H, SO) to bring in Sean Jamieson with two outs.

 

Orlando Arcia (1x4, RBI, R) led off the bottom-half of the inning with a single and advanced to third on an error off the glove of Adam Miller at second by Nick Ramirez (0x5, BB). Parker Berberet (0x1, RBI) put down a bunt and placed it along the first-base line, making for a bang-bang play at the plate that worked in the Shuckers' favor as Arcia slid in safely to tie the game at four and set up the dramatic finish by Shaw.

 

Mobile tied the game at three in the ninth off of reliever Austin Ross (IP, R), Ronnie Freeman sacrificed the runner to second and Haniger dropped a two-out single to left to tie the game at three apiece.

 

Biloxi (34-21) took the lead in the sixth after Tyler Wagner roped a double to center to lead off the frame and advanced to third when Kyle Wren (2x6, R) reached on an error to put runners on the corners with nobody out. Tyrone Taylor's (0x5, RBI) RBI groundout scored Wagner and moved Wren over to third, and Arcia's sacrifice fly to left plated Wren to give the Shuckers a 3-1 advantage.

 

Wagner was making his 10th start of the year and first since his start for the Brewers on Sunday in Milwaukee. That game resulted in a 7-6 win for the Brewers in 17 innings. The Las Vegas native allowed the lone run on six hits, two walks and six strikeouts. The righty picked up his seventh quality start of the season and the Shuckers are now 7-3 in his outings.

 

Biloxi will try for its third straight win on Sunday night in game two against Mobile. LHP Hobbs Johnson (3-2, 3.26) will start for the Shuckers, while the BayBears will counter with RHP Aaron Blair (5-2, 2.56). First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 PM, with coverage beginning at 4:55 on 1240-AM WGCM, 1580-AM WPMO and the Biloxi Shuckers Radio Network. Fans can also listen to the game using the TuneIn Radio app or by going to www.biloxishuckers.com.

[Mass Haas]

Shuckers script a perfect homecoming

On opening night at MGM Park, Biloxi rallies for walk-off win in 14th

By Alex Kraft / MiLB.com

 

After a 54-game road trip to open the season, the Biloxi Shuckers were ready to come home. And they could not have scripted a better christening for their new digs.

 

In the first-ever game at Biloxi's MGM Park, the Shuckers fell behind in the 14th inning before rallying for a 5-4 win over the Mobile BayBears as Nick Shaw delivered a walk-off single.

 

In front of a sellout crowd of 5,095, many of whom stuck around until the end, Biloxi battled back after squandering a 3-2 lead in the ninth and allowing Mobile to go ahead, 4-3, in the top of the 14th.

 

"Those fans really made it exciting," Shuckers manager Carlos Subero said. "There was just a great vibe and a great energy. It wasn't about the numbers, they were excited. Their identity is with this team."

 

The crowd, which included Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant and Biloxi Mayor Andrew "FoFo" Gilich, had seen its team exiled for two months. Even after striking a deal with the city to move up the completion date for MGM Park, the Shuckers became Southern League vagabonds, playing all of their games on the road or in their former home, Huntsville, Alabama.

 

Despite the grueling travel schedule, Subero said his team never let it affect its play.

 

"It didn't have an effect, and that was the great thing about it," he said. "We said we were not going to use the situation of playing a 54-game road trip as an excuse. They were right on it. There was not a time when our guys let down. That's a tribute to the character they have."

 

In fact, the Shuckers returned home with the Southern League's best record.

 

"I think we felt excitement more than pressure," Subero said. "Normally, you're in the middle of the season with about 60 games left, you're playing a team in third place and you want to focus on winning one game at a time. But they were more excited to bring Biloxi Shuckers baseball back to these fans."

 

The fans' excitement grew as the game wore on, leading to some fun interaction between them and the team.

 

"We were like, 'You guys wanted baseball? Let's see how resilient you are in game one,'" Subero said. "The number of fans that stayed 14 innings late and tomorrow's Sunday ... this is just the beginning."

 

Players like first baseman Nick Ramirez also took notice of the Shuckers faithful.

 

Via Twitter: "Wow what a way to break in the new stadium @BiloxiShuckers thank you to everyone that came out. The atmosphere was unreal! #biloxishuckers"

 

"Tonight was a perfect script," Subero said. "To me, it's like a soap opera. There's a lot of drama but a great ending."

 

The first plot twist came when the BayBears tied it in the ninth on Mitch Haniger's RBI single off Mike Strong.

 

The Shuckers had a chance to end it in the bottom of the inning when Michael Reed walked and stole second with two outs, but Nathan Orf flied out. They threatened again the 11th when Kyle Wren, the Brewers' 17th-ranked prospect, stole third during an intentional walk with one out. But Ramirez and Reed struck out.

 

After Mobile took the lead on another RBI single by Haniger, the stage was set for the dramatic finish as back-to-back singles by pinch-hitter Parker Berberet and Shaw triggered the celebration.

 

"You play a 14-inning game," Subero said of the game he jokingly called the longest in MGM Park history, "and you not only come back, but you get a walkoff win? What more can you ask for a crowd that's been waiting so long for baseball?"

 

Biloxi Box Score

 

RHP Manny Barreda threw perfect 10th, 11th, and 12th innings; four Shucker fielding errors and a passed ball - bit of nerves?; time of game -- 4:44.

 

Biloxi Game Log

 

Forever in Shuckers history, winning rally --

 

Biloxi Bottom of the 14th

 

Pitching Change: Adam Miller replaces Keith Hessler, batting 2nd.

Orlando Arcia singles on a ground ball to second baseman Brandon Drury.

Nick Ramirez reaches on a fielding error by second baseman Brandon Drury. Orlando Arcia to 3rd.

Michael Reed strikes out swinging.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Parker Berberet replaces Trevor Seidenberger.

Parker Berberet singles on a ground ball to first baseman Rudy Flores. Orlando Arcia scores. Nick Ramirez to 2nd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Brent Suter replaces Nick Ramirez.

Nick Shaw singles on a line drive to right fielder Gabriel Guerrero. Brent Suter scores. Parker Berberet to 2nd.

[Mass Haas]

Biloxi stadium opens to rave reviews

Mary Perez, Hattiesburg American

 

A sellout crowd at MGM Park watches the debut home game for the Biloxi Shuckers on Saturday. (Photo: Tim Isbell/The Sun-Herald)

 

What an opening day for the Biloxi Shuckers.

 

It was 86 degrees at game time, but even hotter earlier in the day when fans filled downtown for the organizers’ Game Day Experience pregame event.

 

Warmest of all, though, was the welcome the Biloxi Shuckers got from their new hometown fans, who’d sold out MGM Park for the first home game.

 

After 55 games on the road, the team didn’t arrive in Biloxi until 4 a.m. Saturday from an extra-innings win Friday night.

 

They were back up and out for introductions early Saturday afternoon, and were gracious as wide-eyed kids handed over balls and caps for the players to autograph.

 

“I know they’re tired but that will wake them up,” said Derek McIlvane, a video intern for the Milwaukee Brewers who has traveled with the team on their road trip.

 

“This is a good team to be around.”

 

The fans couldn’t know as they chatted with outfielder Kyle Wren, wearing No. 11, that he would later be MGM Park’s first Shuckers batter.

 

Nor did the players know what awaited them as Black Water Brass Band and hundreds of fans escorted them from downtown to their new stadium a few blocks away.

 

“I think it’s great for our players to see the enthusiasm,” team owner Ken Young said. For a team and a town, “even a regular opening day is a big thing in baseball. When you have a grand opening it’s just extra special.”

 

And it was a grand opening.

 

No complaints were heard about parking and “we didn’t mind walking,” said fan Tim Peterson, who drove over from Bay St. Louis along with Robert Holloway.

 

The event drew fans from across the Coast, and Peterson said, “I think it’s South Mississippi’s team.”

 

With Shuckers’ general manager Buck Rogers leading the chant of “Let’s play ball, y’all,” the gates opened at 5 p.m.

 

The fans found their seats — and the concession stands, where they got their first taste of garlic butter oysters, barbecue nachos, hot dogs and lots of cold beer for the warm night.

 

“I’m glad to be here,” Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said as he looked out over the stadium filling with people. “It’s a beautiful evening, a great stadium. This is one of those that’s historic.”

 

Speeches on the field were short and Young’s salute to Tim Bennett’s 10 years of working to bring baseball to the community drew applause.

 

Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin drew the biggest cheer when he said everyone at the Milwaukee Brewers home team is proud to be associated with Biloxi. It was his first time in the city in 42 years in baseball.

 

Baseball was good for business Saturday in Biloxi.

 

Joe Lancon, owner of the Biloxi Schooner Restaurant, handed out menus and welcomed fans inside.

 

He’d bought the building on Howard Avenue just before 2005’s Hurricane Katrina and said, “I’ve been waiting 10 years for something like this.” He is expanding in the building, adding an oyster bar, an arcade and a poolroom.