Columbus, Ohio – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) were charged with four errors in an ugly 7-6 loss in Columbus against the Clippers (Cleveland Indians) on Thursday night. The teams split the six-game season series, but the Clippers (62-50) took two of three at Huntington Park where SWB (62-51) has lost 10 of 11.
Down 2-0 in the second, four straight two-out hits gave the RailRiders a 4-2 lead including a towering three-run homer by Ben Gamel. Columbus rallied, plating a run in the third and three more in the fourth while chasing starter Kyle Haynes. The right-hander allowed six runs on eight hits and two walks over 3.2 innings.
A bases-loaded walk by Rob Refsnyder and an RBI single from Greg Bird tied the game at 6-6 in the sixth. The lead would not last long.
In the seventh, Audy Ciriaco grounded a Nick Rumbelow (2-3) pitch to shortstop that Cole Figueroa fielded cleanly and tossed to Refsnyder for an out. Refsnyder had trouble with the transfer before bouncing a throw to first that bounced into the stands, allowing Zach Walters to score what proved to be the winning run.
SWB’s best chance to rally came in the eighth when Figueroa and pinch hitter Kyle Roller reached with a single and walk respectively. Gamel delivered a sac bunt before Refsnyder struck out. With Bird batting, Figueroa tried to score on a would-be wild pitch that shot over catcher Adam Moore’s head, but Moore recovered and fired a strike to closer Shawn Armstrong who dropped the tag on the sliding Figueroa to end the inning.
CC Lee (3-3) picked up the win while Armstrong logged his 14th save.
The RailRiders’ six-game road trip shifts to Toledo’s Fifth Third Field as they open a three-game series against the Mud Hens at 7 p.m. on Friday night. The pitching match-up has SWB southpaw Chris Capuano (1-1, 2.45) scheduled to face right-hander Thad Weber (6-7, 3.91).
The RailRiders return home to PNC Field for a short four-game run against the Pawtucket Red Sox (Boston Red Sox) starting Monday night at 7:05 p.m. Below are the highlights each day:
Mon., Aug. 10 – Bark in the Bark 2 presented by Veterinary Referral and Emergency Clinic. Bring your dog to the park, free dog refuse bags/holder to the first 500 dogs through the gates. Lawn seating only available for guests choosing to bring their four-legged friends. All dogs will need to be leashed, with current shot records and license for entry.
Tue., Aug. 11 – National Call 811 Before You Dig Night presented by 811 Call Before You Dig, UGI, PPL, USIC and UGI Energy. It’s also Gildan National Tour Night. Gildan will be on hand with product sampling and giveaways.
Wed., Aug. 12 – The iconic Budweiser Clydesdales will be making their way to PNC Field courtesy of Budweiser and the RailRiders’ friends at Northeast Eagle Distributors. Fans will be treated to a pre-game on-field parade as well as access to the horses throughout the game for photo ops.
Thu., Aug. 13 – Join the fun with the RailRiders’ Thirsty Thursday. $1 Drafts and Pepsi products courtesy of Budweiser from 6-8 p.m. and live music from Dashboard Mary.
For more information please call (570) 969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.
– SWB RailRiders Baseball – The Place to Be! –
2015 “On the Road” landing page — including complete itinerary — HERE!
August 5, 2015: First Tennessee Park, home of the Nashville Sounds
Opponent: Memphis Redbirds, 7:05 p.m. game time.
First Tennessee Park, from the outside:
First Tennessee Park, from within:
Culinary Creation: Hot Chicken, a Nashville specialty
Ballpark Character: Booster the rooster, a “Hot Chicken” made literal
At Random: The Sounds’ old home of Greer Stadium was known for its guitar-shaped scoreboard. Here’s guitar scoreboard, version 2.0
Your Groundbreaking and Subversive Ballpark Joke of the Day: I’m not sure that this is even a joke. But, yeah, the first rainout in the history of First Tennessee Park just happened to coincide with the one evening in which I was in town.
Your groundbreaking and subversive ballpark joke of the day, @nashvillesounds https://t.co/cDYttYJTc6
— Benjamin Hill (@bensbiz) August 6, 2015
—
Next Up:
My next (and last) road trip of the year kicks off on Aug. 29 with the Connecticut Tigers. Until then, I sleep.
—
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
twitter.com/bensbiz
instagram.com/thebensbiz
For the third-straight series, the Shuckers play a rubber match of the set, after falling behind 2-0. Winner of two-straight games, the Cardiac Clams take on the Mobile BayBears (10-11 on the season) at Hank Aaron Stadium. Tonight is the 22nd and final meeting between the two clubs at Hank Aaron Stadium. The Shuckers are 5-2 in rubber matches and have won three-straight.
Lefty Hobbs Johnson makes his team-leading 20th start tonight and is currently leading the league in opponents’ batting average (.210) and ranks 10th in ERA (3.35). During the month of July, Johnson led all of Double-A by holding opposition to a .171 batting average over 26.2 innings and five starts. If there is one stat Johnson wants to improve upon is walks. He currently ranks third in the Southern League in walks with 48.
Last night, Victor Roache bounced back from an 0-for-8 with six strikeouts by going 3-for-4 with a homer and four RBI. The 28th overall selection in 2012 has an organizaional-best 16 long balls this season and 62 RBIs.
Streak Watch: Orlando Arcia is on an 8-game hitting streak. The 21-year-old is 13-for-29 (.448) during the streak with five multi-hit games, 6 R, 5 2B, 3 RBI, 2 BB and 5 SB. This is Arcia’s third 8-game hitting streak or longer. He ranks 5th in batting (.306), 2nd in hits (119), 1st in 2B (30), 3rd in XBH (40), 2nd in TB (174), 2nd in runs (60) 2nd in multi-hit games (35).
Tweet of the Day:
Recapping a big day for Khris Davis and Matt Garza, who powered the #Brewers' 10-1 win: http://t.co/AM8TyLqjfi pic.twitter.com/r5iBblYsVK
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) August 6, 2015
Game #107: Biloxi Shuckers (19-19, 62-44, W2) at Mobile BayBears (23-15, 57-50), L2 | 7:05 p.m.
Location: Hank Aaron Stadium (opened April 17, 1997, Capacity 6,000)
Current Series: 5 of 5 (2-2, 5-2 in rubber games) | 11-5 in G5 | 6-11 on Thurs | 3-2 in August | 10-11 vs. MOB (4-5)
Starting Pitchers: LHP Hobbs Johnson (7-4, 3.35) vs. RHP John Omahen (5-0, 3.35)
Radio: Coverage begins at 6:50 on 1240-AM WGCM, 1580-AM WPMO and the Shuckers Radio Network…also on BiloxiShuckers.com and TuneIn Radio with Chris Harris (pxp) and Thaddeus Krzus (studio)
TV: None
Live Stats: MiLB Gameday
Tickets, Etc.: Box Office | Individual Game Tickets | Flex Plan | Season Tickets | Groups & Menus | Upcoming Promotions | MGM Park Info
SL Standings | SL Leaders | Roster | Shuckers Game Notes | 2015 Schedule
MGM Park Web Cam | Brewers 40-man Roster | Shuckers on Twitter | Video Content | Shuckers News
Upcoming Games and Probable Pitchers:
Day | Date | Time | Opponent | Shuckers | Opponent |
Friday | August 7 | 7:10 | Mississippi | RHP Jorge Lopez (10-4, 2.52) | RHP Greg Ross (5-9, 4.42) |
Saturday | August 8 | 7:10 | Mississippi | RHP Adrian Houser (0-0, 4.76) | RHP Zack Bird (0-0, 0.00) |
Sunday | August 9 | 5:10 | Mississippi | LHP Josh Hader (1-0, 0.00) | RHP Stephen Janas (1-4, 4.62) |
Monday | August 10 | 6:40 | Mississippi | RHP Tyler Wagner (9-5, 2.33) | RHP John Gant (2-0, 0.77) |
Tuesday | August 11 | 6:40 | Mississippi | LHP Hobbs Johnson | RHP Lucas Sims |
Wednesday | August 12 | 6:40 | Mississippi | RHP Jorge Lopez | |
Thursday | August 13 | 6:40 | Mississippi | RHP Adrian Houser |
*times listed are local to Biloxi
Southern League North | ||||||||||
Club | W | L | PCT▼ | GB | ELIM # | Home | Away | L 10 | Streak | |
Birmingham Barons (CWS) | 25 | 13 | .658 | – | – | 13-7 | 12-6 | 5-5 | L2 | |
Montgomery Biscuits (TB) | 21 | 17 | .553 | 4.0 | 29 | 15-5 | 6-12 | 4-6 | L2 | |
Tennessee Smokies (CHC) | 18 | 20 | .474 | 7.0 | 26 | 10-6 | 8-14 | 6-4 | W2 | |
* | Chattanooga Lookouts (MIN) | 15 | 21 | .417 | 9.0 | 24 | 5-11 | 10-10 | 6-4 | W1 |
Jackson Generals (SEA) | 11 | 26 | .297 | 13.5 | 19 | 3-15 | 8-11 | 3-7 | L1 | |
Southern League South | ||||||||||
Club | W | L | PCT▼ | GB | ELIM # | Home | Away | L 10 | Streak | |
Mobile BayBears (ARI) | 23 | 15 | .605 | – | – | 13-10 | 10-5 | 6-4 | L2 | |
Pensacola Blue Wahoos (CIN) | 23 | 16 | .590 | 0.5 | 32 | 11-4 | 12-12 | 6-4 | W3 | |
Mississippi Braves (ATL) | 22 | 17 | .564 | 1.5 | 31 | 13-11 | 9-6 | 5-5 | W2 | |
* | Biloxi Shuckers (MIL) | 19 | 19 | .500 | 4.0 | 28 | 7-7 | 12-12 | 6-4 | W2 |
Jacksonville Suns (MIA) | 13 | 26 | .333 | 10.5 | 22 | 9-15 | 4-11 | 3-7 | L3 |
* first-half division winner
Today’s Game Notes:
TODAY’S GAME: Rubber match of a 5-game series vs. Mobile (2-2, 5-2 in rubber games)… 5th meeting against the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Double-A affiliate and 2nd of 3 meetings in the 2nd half (12g) (7-9 first half; 3-3 2nd half)…are 15-6-1 in series play and won 12 of 15 series’ dating back to May 17 (2 losses, 1 split)…the Shuckers have the best overall record in the Southern League with a .585 win percentage…return home on Friday for a 10-game homestand with the Mississippi Braves (5g) and Pensacola Blue Wahoos (5g) at MGM Park.
TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER: 24-year-old lefty Hobbs Johnson makes his team-leading 20th start tonight in the rubber match at Mobile…the former North Carolina Tar Heel is making his 4th start against the BayBears, in search of his first win, 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA (6 ER/14.0 IP), striking out 10 and walking 2.
ANOTHER SERIES DEJA VU: For the 3rd-straight series, the Shuckers are playing the rubber match after dropping the first 2 games and winning the next 2…took both series with wins at Pensacola, 10-2 on 7/26 and 2-0 on 8/1 vs. Jackson…the Shuckers are 5-2 in rubber games of a series this season.
ROACHE, WAGNER SEAL SHUCKERS 6-2 WIN ON TUESDAY: RHP Tyler Wagner earned his 14th quality start (6 of 7) in his 19th of the year Tuesday, earning his 9th win (9-5), allowing 1 run on 6 hits over 6.0 innings, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts.
THE MAVERICK: CF Brett Phillips, acquired on 7/30 from Houston is currently leading the minors in runs scored (94), 2nd in hits (140) and total bases (240), T-2nd in 3B (12) and 5th in extra-base hits (56).
ARCIA EXTENDS HIT STREAK TO 8 GAMES: Orlando Arcia went 1-for-4 yesterday and extended his hitting streak to 8 games. Arcia is 13-for-29 (.448) during the streak with 5 multi-hit games, 6 R, 5 2B, 3 RBI, 2 BB and 5 SB. This is Arcia’s 3rd 8G hitting streak or longer. He ranks 5th in batting (.306), 2nd in hits (119), 1st in 2B (30), 3rd in XBH (40), 2nd in TB (174), 2nd in runs (60) 2nd in multi-hit games (35).
THE MAGNIFICENT MAGNIFICO: RHP Damien Magnifico converted his 14th save for the Shuckers on Tuesday (14/16). The Mesquite, TX native has not allowed an earned run in his last 10 games (11.2 IP). He ranks T-2nd in the SL in saves.
BACK-TO-BACK FOR LOPEZ: RHP Jorge Lopez was selected as the minor league pitcher of the month for July. The Puerto Rican went 3-2 with a 2.53 ERA (32 IP/9 ER) with 8 walks and 32 strikeouts. Lopez was the award winner in June also.
MLBPipeline unveiled its new Milwaukee Brewers prospect rankings and Biloxi has 9 of the top-30 including the top spot in SS Orlando Arcia (also #14 in all of MLB). The Shuckers boast: Arcia (1), OF Brett Phillips (2), OF Tyrone Taylor (5), RHP Jorge Lopez (9), LHP Josh Hader (15), RHP Tyler Wagner (16), OF Victor Roache (22) RHP Adrian Houser (28) and LHP Hobbs Johnson (29).
MLBPipeline unveiled its new Milwaukee Brewers prospect rankings and Biloxi has 9 of the top-30 including the top spot in SS Orlando Arcia (also #14 in all of MLB). The Shuckers boast: Arcia (1), OF Brett Phillips (2), OF Tyrone Taylor (5), RHP Jorge Lopez (9), LHP Josh Hader (15), RHP Tyler Wagner (16), OF Victor Roache (22) RHP Adrian Houser (28) and LHP Hobbs Johnson (29).
Victor Roache earned Player of the Week honors for July 20 through July 26 batting .474 (9×19) with 7 extra-base hits and 4 multi-hit contests in the 5-game series victory at Pensacola. He hit an even .400 for the week.
LOPEZ NAMED BREWERS MILB PITCHER OF THE MONTH FOR JUNE: with the Biloxi Shuckers was selected as the Brewers Minor League Pitcher of the Month for June. The Puerto Rico (motto – “John is his name”) native made 4 starts and went 3-0 with a 1.00 ERA (27ip, 3er) with 8 walks and 23 strikeouts. Lopez has won each of his last 4 starts, owning a 1.30 ERA (27.2ip, 4er) in that span.
REED NAMED BREWERS MILB PLAYER OF THE MONTH FOR MAY: The Milwaukee Brewers announced Thursday that Biloxi Shuckers’ OF Michael Reed was named its Minor League Player of the Month for May. The Cedar Park, TX native batted .380 during the month, with 7 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 17 RBIs and a .463 OBP. Reed becomes the second Biloxi Shucker to earn a monthly honor as starting pitcher Brooks Hall was the Brewers Minor League Pitcher of the Month for April.
WHO ARE THE SHUCKERS?: Formerly the Huntsville Stars, the new Biloxi professional baseball team revealed the new identity on November 24, 2014, as the Biloxi Shuckers took center stage during a ceremony inside Biloxi’s historic Saenger Theatre. The team name was selected after nearly 60,000 votes were cast after the month-long “Name the Team” contest yielded six finalists. A tenacious oyster is the centerpiece of the identity, seen both in the club’s primary logo, home and alternate caps. The letters “BS” to make up the road cap designation – the Biloxi Lighthouse logo, resiliently rising above historic storm waters. Gulf Blue, Sand, Coral, and Black make up the club’s new official colors, paying tribute to the Gulf Coast. The Shuckers are the first professional sports team to use this color combination.
ABOUT BILOXI: Founded in the late 17th century by French explorers, Biloxi has a population of 44,578 and is the home of Keesler Air Force Base… With many wonderful beaches, golf courses, fishing charters, museums and the iconic Biloxi Lighthouse, Biloxi is the perfect place for friends and families to get away and take a much-needed vacation.
ABOUT MGM PARK: MGM Park opened its gates for the first time on June 6, 2015 as Tyler Wagner (below) threw the first pitch to Mobile’s Jack Reinheimer at 7:07 p,m. CT. The Shuckers won the Inaugural Game 5-4 in 14 innings. • MGM Park is located off of Highway 90 and Interstate 110, adjacent to Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, MGM Park is within walking distance of downtown Biloxi and beaches of the Gulf Coast. The stadium, being built by the city of Biloxi, broke ground on January 24, 2014 and is being constructed by Architect Dale Partners P.A. of Biloxi and Yates Construction. MGM Park is 455,000 square feet and will seat 6,067 for baseball and up to 15,000 for concerts. Home plate will sit 21 feet above sea level and currently the dimensions are LF- 326’, CF- 401’, RF- 326’.
Tuesday was Josh Hader’s turn to make his Shuckers and Milwaukee Brewers organizational debut, and the 21-year-old lefty from Millersville, MD certainly didn’t disappoint. He fanned nine Mobile BayBears over five one-hit innings and walked just one. Hader draws comparisons to Chris Sale and with his 3/4 arm angle and dynamite fastball/slider combo, he certainly could be on his way to the same type of success.
I caught up with the new Biloxi Shucker for Wednesday’s Beau Biloxi Pregame Show and we discussed his outing on Tuesday in which he came one strikeout shy of his career high of 10 – playing for Team USA in the Pan Am Games and starting the finals against Canada – going through, now two trade deadline deals and much more.
One striking comparison in Brett Phillips, Adrian Houser and Hader is that all three our outstanding people. That also should make Brewers fans extremely proud.
Listen to the full interview below
https://shuckdynasty.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/hader-8-5.mp3
Here are the lineups for today’s game:
Kannapolis Intimidators (21-18 Second Half, 56-52)
#14 Michael Suiter RF
#10 Mason Robbins DH
#21 Louie Lechich CF
#11 Ryan Leonards SS
#23 Alexander Simon LF
#20 Brett Austin C
#5 John Ziznewski 3B
#37 Cody Daily 1B
#18 Ethan Gross 2B
#12 Spencer Adams (7-5, 3.58 ERA, 18th start)
Greensboro Grasshoppers (11-28 Second Half, 40-68)
#7 Mason Davis 2B
#27 John Norwood LF
#32 KJ Woods 1B
#54 Arturo Rodriguez C
#43 Brian Schales 3B
#1 Justin Twine SS
#18 Austen Smith DH
#23 Ryan Aper RF
#24 Zach Sullivan CF
#30 Tyler Kolek RHP (4-78, 4.47 ERA, 21st start)
Pregame Interview
This might be one of the most fun pregame interviews that I’ve conducted this season. It’s a longer one, so we’ll pretty much kick right into it once we get on the air. First pitch in Greensboro is at 7:00 p.m., so we’ll hit the airways five minutes earlier than normal at 6:45 p.m. Here are your links to listen:
PC/Droid: http://bit.ly/16WINds
iOS: http://bit.ly/ZqLOx9
TuneIn: http://bit.ly/1rouCcl
-JF
@BigTexJosh