Matt Breen

Final: Chattanooga 3, Biloxi 2 Stokes Jr. Homers in Third Straight Game, But Shuckers Drop Fourth in a Row Lookouts Halt Early Baserunners on a Friday Night By Spencer Siegel / Biloxi Shuckers Troy Stokes Jr bats at MGM Park. The Shuckers outfielder hit his third home run in three days in the eighth inning for Biloxi. (Photo: Michael Krebs) Biloxi Box Score Biloxi bats could not capitalize when needed on Friday, going 0-11 with runners in scoring position. The result was a 3-2 lost to Chattanooga. On the plus side, Cody Ponce had a nice outing, giving up only one run in six innings of work. Clint Coulter and Troy Stokes Jr. each hit solo HRs - accounting for the Shuckers only runs. Stokes has homered in three straight games. Batting Troy Stokes Jr.: 2-3, 2B, HR, BB Clint Coulter: 1-3, HR Pitching Cody Ponce: 6.0 IP, 5 hits, 1 ER, 1BB, 3K Quintin Torres-Costa: 1.1 IP, 2 hits, 2 ER, 1BB, 3K, lose Nate Griep: 0.2 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 0BB, 0K Wuilder Rodriguez: 1.0 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 1BB, 0K Notes Stokes has been on fire of late. In addition to his third HR in as many days, his batting average has climbed from .219 to .237. Trent Grisham was in the leadoff spot on Friday night (he walked twice but did not get any hits), while Corey Ray was dropped to third in the order. Biloxi Log

The Rangers are open for business. Texas understands they can't win and are willing to make deals for their veterans. I don't see any hitters really of interest. From the pitchers, there's Cole Hamels, Doug Fister and Bartolo Colon. Colon and Fister are having good seasons, but due to age and a spotty track record. Neither is under contract beyond 2018. Hamels is probably the most interesting player. He's pitching pretty well - although FIP doesn't like his 2018 performance. At 34, he's not a dominant player anymore, and he makes a lot ($23+M this year and an option for 2019 (with a $6M buyout). I don't know if he has a no trade clause. None of these guys should cost much - and Hamels would need to have some money kicked in if we were interested. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/05/rangers-trade-rumors-cole-hamels-adrian-beltre.html Personally, I'd pass on all of these guys - but if you're looking to add starting pitching depth, it might be a way to get someone now as opposed to waiting until the deadline.

Even though no one is behind me to be seen, guy pulls out in front of me on to the highway forcing me to slow down. He then proceeds to drive under the speed limit.

I am a person who has preached patience with regard to Ray. I liked his talent, skillset and makeup. As such, I had him ranked 8th in our preseason poll - which was tied for the 2nd highest of all the people who voted. I am happy to see him doing well. However, the guy has been very streaky at times in his short career, and I want to see some sustained success before I get too excited. I'm not ready to dismiss a year and half of mediocrity just yet. I hope Corey's success continues. I don't know enough about developing players to be more than an armchair evaluator - but I hope Ray has ironed out the hitches and hiccups in his approach - and keeps producing. Personally, I'd like to see Ray just stay at Biloxi all year and put together a good campaign. If that happens, then we can talk bigger things. But I'm not going to get to caught up in things just yet - even if I'm cautiously optimistic about his future.

This is a classic post.

Final: Chattanooga 6, Biloxi 4 Makeshift Home Run Derby Goes the Way of the Lookouts Chattanooga Takes First Meeting with Seven Combined Longballs By Spencer Siegel / Biloxi Shuckers (Photo: Michael Krebs) Biloxi Box Score It was home run night in Biloxi on Thursday. And while the Shuckers out-homered their opponents, they did not make their HRs count like the Chattanooga Lookouts did. The Shuckers had four HRs - all solo shots - and those four runs were all Biloxi could manage. The Lookouts had three HRs, but scored six times. Corey Ray, Troy Stokes Jr., Jake Hager and Clint Coulter all went yard in the loss. Thomas Jankins gave up six runs in five innings - including three HRs. Batting Corey Ray: 2-4, HR Troy Stokes Jr.: 1-4, HR Jake Hager: 2-4, HR Jake Gatewood: 3-4, 3B Clint Coulter: 1-4, HR Pitching Thomas Jankins: 5.0 IP, 7 hits, 4 ER, 0BB, 4K, lose (also surrendered 3 HRs) Brad Kuntz: 3.0 IP, 0 hits, 0 ER, 1BB, 2K Miguel Sanchez: 1.0 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 0BB, 1K Notes Trent Grisham returned from the DL today, going 1-4 in his return to the lineup. Biloxi Log With two HRs and three runs, the 5th inning was the big one for Chattanooga. Ray has five HRs in his last five games. Chattanooga Top of the 5th Tanner English strikes out swinging. LaMonte Wade homers (6) on a fly ball to left field. Brent Rooker doubles (8) on a line drive to right fielder Trent Grisham. Nick Gordon grounds out, second baseman Blake Allemand to first baseman Jake Gatewood. Brent Rooker to 3rd. Zander Wiel homers (3) on a fly ball to left center field. Brent Rooker scores. Edgar Corcino flies out to center fielder Corey Ray.

Wow. Ray now has 7 HRs, which has him tied for 2nd in the Southern League in HRs. Didn't see that coming.

Sophia is fine. She was pretty raw when she started, but has gotten better. Her ability to speak Spanish adds a nice facet to her job. As people have noted - sideline reporter is often a thankless job, but I think she does just fine.

Final: Pensacola 3, Biloxi 2 Blue Wahoos Squeak Past Shuckers in Rubber Match Ray Homers, but Shuckers Fall in Extra-Inning Affair By Spencer Siegel / Biloxi Shuckers Kodi Medeiros tossed 6.0 innings at MGM Park, allowing just one run while striking out six. (Photo: Michael Krebs) Biloxi Box Score Biloxi squandered a great performance from Kodi Medeiros on Wednesday afternoon. The Shuckers had the lead in the 8th, but were undone by a walk followed by an error by Nick Ramirez, which allowed the runner to score on a sac fly. The run tied the game - and led to the Shuckers lose in extra innings. Medeiros gave up only one run in six innings of work, allowing six hits and no walks while striking out three. The Shucker bats were held to seven hits and a walk. Both runs were solo HRs, courtesy of Corey Ray and Troy Stokes Jr. Batting Corey Ray: 1-5, HR Troy Stokes Jr.: 2-3, HR, BB Mitch Ghelfi: 2-4, SB Jake Hager: 2-3, BB Pitching Medeiros: 6.0 IP, 6 hits, 1 ER, 0BB, 3K Nick Ramirez: 2.0, 0 hits, 0 ER, 1BB, 0K, blown save Nate Griep: 1.0 IP, 0 hits, 0 ER, 0BB, 2K Jon Olczak: 1.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 0BB, 0K, lose Notes Medeiros' ERA has fallen to 3.07 on the year. He is showing sizable splits, with a 1.62 ERA vs lefties and a 4.07 ERA vs right handers. Biloxi Log Nick Ramirez's walk and error led to the blown save. Pensacola Top of the 8th Luis Gonzalez walks. With Nick Longhi batting, throwing error by Nick Ramirez on the pickoff attempt, Luis Gonzalez to 3rd. Nick Longhi grounds out, third baseman Wendell Rijo to first baseman Jake Gatewood. Gavin LaValley out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Corey Ray. Luis Gonzalez scores. Aristides Aquino pops out to shortstop Jake Hager.

Corey Ray has gone yard again today.

I did the same thing. I said to my wife - my preference would be that you keep your last name or take mine, which ever you want.

Final: Pensacola 10, Biloxi 8 Ray Homers Twice In Shuckers' Loss Back-and-Forth 10-8 Battle Sets up Rubber Match on Wednesday Morning By Spencer Siegel / Biloxi Shuckers Corey Ray homered in each of his first two at-bats against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on May 15 at MGM Park, the first multi-homer game of his career. (Photo: Michael Krebs) Biloxi Box Score Offense good. Pitching bad. That's really the only way to describe Biloxi's 10-8 lose to Pensacola. On the mound, Adrian Houser and Angel Ventura each got smacked around. At the plate, Corey Ray had a career day, going 4-5 with two HRs (plus a SB). Jake Gatewood added three hits in the lose. Batting Corey Ray: 4-5, 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, SB Jake Gatewood: 3-4, SB Blake Allemand: 2-5, 2B Dustin Houle: 1-3, 2B, BB, 3 RBI Pitching Adrian Houser: 4.0 IP, 7 hits, 4 ER, 0BB, 3K, Lose Angel Ventura: 4.0 IP, 7 hits, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4K Josh Uhen: 1.0 IP, 0 hits, 0 ER, 0BB, OK Notes After a brutal start, Gatewood is coming around. With his three hits, he is now hitting .215 on the year. Ray has also rebounded after struggling for a while. He is now hitting .269 with an .829 OPS. Biloxi Log Biloxi surrendered four runs in the top of the 6th. Pensacola Top of the 6th Nick Longhi singles on a ground ball to center fielder Corey Ray. Aristides Aquino homers (6) on a fly ball to left center field. Nick Longhi scores. Taylor Sparks strikes out swinging, catcher Dustin Houle to first baseman Jake Gatewood. Chris Okey singles on a ground ball to center fielder Corey Ray. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Gavin LaValley replaces Seth Varner. Gavin LaValley flies out to left fielder Troy Stokes Jr. With Shed Long batting, Chris Okey steals (1) 2nd base. Shed Long singles on a line drive to left fielder Troy Stokes Jr. Chris Okey scores. Shed Long to 2nd on the throw. Luis Gonzalez hits a ground-rule double (8) on a fly ball to left-center field. Shed Long scores. Daniel Sweet strikes out swinging.

Ray has been hitting the ball well of late. For the year, he his hitting .269 with a .349 OBP and an .829 OPS. He has 7 SBs - and hasn't been caught. One impressive stat is that almost 1/2 of his hits (20 of 42) have been for extra bases. 12 doubles, 3 triples and 5 HRs. He's also improved his walk rate to a solid 10%, and cut his strikeouts dramatically (from 31% last year to about 23% this year). Ray has - thus far - shown to be very streaky, so I'm not holding my breath that he won't go into a funk and have his number plummet. But it's nice to see him doing pretty all right. I'm curious to hear how his defense has progressed. He's been playing CF 90% of the time. If he can play the middle well, that really helps him out.

I'm not great at this stuff - but having sold a bunch of baseball cards over the past year, I've gotten a little handle on that area of collecting - plus some other memorabilia. You're stuff is interesting, so I took a quick look on eBay. The 1955-56 yearbooks have sold for around $25-30. Condition is really the big deal. Please know that people ask a lot more for this kind of thing. You'll see people asking for $50-100+ - but that's just what they are asking. What they are getting is another story. The scorecard - like what is pictured - again really depends on condition. You see some selling for $8 and some selling for five times that. Again, I'm guessing condition really matters. Perhaps someone else will be able to help more. In the end, it's probably not worth a ton (unless you end up with some really weird, rare item), but they can be pretty cool. A Milwaukee area sports memorabilia place might be able to help you. Take a bunch of photos and just go down and ask what they think. But know that they'll offer you a fraction of their value.

Final: Biloxi 4, Pensacola 1 Gatewood's Homer Gets Wahoos Hook, Line and Sinker Shuckers Win 4-1 on First Baseman's Three-Run Blast By Spencer Siegel / Biloxi Shuckers (Photo: Michael Krebs) Biloxi Box Score Biloxi rode the arm of Zack Brown and the timely hitting of Jake Gatewood to a 4-1 victory on Monday night against Pensacola. Brown was outstanding, throwing 7.0 innings and only surrendering five hits, three walks and a single run. He struck out five. Quintin Torres-Costa and Nate Griep would each throw a scoreless inning to close out the game. Biloxi hitters were mostly cold, but the team got a pair of walks - followed by an HR from Gatewood - in the bottom of the 8th to secure the victory. Batting Corey Ray: 1-3, BB Jake Gatewood: 2-4, HR, 3 RBI Mitch Ghelfi: 2-3, BB Pitching Zack Brown: 7.0 IP, 5 hits, 1 ER, 3BB, 5K Quintin Torres-Costa: 1.0 IP, 0 hits, 0 ER, 0BB, 1K, Win Nate Griep: 1.0 IP, 0 hits, 0 hits, 0 ER, 0BB, 1K, Save Notes Brown continues to put up impressive numbers for 2018. In 46.2 innings, he has allowed 38 hits and walked only 12 batters. He has struck out 47 batters and has a nifty 2.89 ERA. Biloxi Log Jake Gatewood's 3-run shot is the game-winner. Biloxi Bottom of the 8th Blake Allemand flies out to center fielder Daniel Sweet. Corey Ray walks. With Troy Stokes Jr. batting, wild pitch by Jesus Reyes, Corey Ray to 2nd. Troy Stokes Jr. flies out to center fielder Daniel Sweet. Jesus Reyes intentionally walks Lucas Erceg. Jake Gatewood homers (6) on a line drive to left field. Corey Ray scores. Lucas Erceg scores. Mitch Ghelfi walks. Clint Coulter grounds into a force out, third baseman Taylor Sparks to second baseman Shed Long. Mitch Ghelfi out at 2nd.

Good call on Asdrubal Cabrera. Teams will value his consistency - and his versatility. Although I really wouldn't want him at SS anymore. At 2B he is fine. Not great - but not bad.

Segovia hit is 2nd career HR tonight. Take that Duane Kuiper!

I don't know that much about the amateur players, but Seth Beer kind of scares me as a 1st round pick. Looking at his numbers, he's regressed every season. Lower average, slugging and walk rate every season. And his strikeout rate is the worst of his college career. Add in that he might be limited to 1B - it's not exactly the kind of guy I'd want to spend our top pick on. Now for later picks - 2nd round, comp pick - sure. But not in the first round. Of course, perhaps I just don't know that much about the guy. I'm just going by stats and scouting info.

Final: Pensacola 6, Biloxi 4 Shuckers Fall to Blue Wahoos on Mother's Day Ponce Deals Five Strong, Ray Homers for Biloxi By Garrett Greene / Biloxi Shuckers Lucas Erceg swings a pink bat for Mother's Day at MGM Park on May 13. (Photo: Michael Krebs) Biloxi Box Score Biloxi had their nine-game winning streak snapped on Sunday in a 6-4 lose to Pensacola. The Shuckers got a strong performance from Cody Ponce on the mound, who only gave up one run in five innings of work. The Shuckers were staked to a 4-1 lead, but imploded in the bottom of the 6th, giving up five runs. On the offensive side of the ledger, Corey Ray had a big game, going 3-4 with an HR. Batting Corey Ray: 3-4, HR, 2 RBI Clint Coulter: 1-3, BB, SB Pitching Cody Ponce: 5.0 IP, 2 hits, 1 ER, 1BB, 2K Josh Uhen: 0.2 IP, 4 hits, 5 runs, 2BB, 0K, Lose Jon Olczak: 2.1 IP, 0 hits, 0 ER, 0BB 2K Brad Kuntz: 2.0 IP, 1 hits, 0 ER, 1BB, 1K Notes Ponce's performance was a strong rebound after he gave up eight runs in his last outing. Biloxi Log Josh Uhen's 6th inning meltdown doomed the Shuckers. All the damage came with two outs - walk, HR, double, single, error, walk, double. Five runs. Ugly. Pensacola Top of the 6th Pitching Change: Josh Uhen replaces Cody Ponce, batting 9th. Luis Gonzalez grounds out, second baseman Blake Allemand to first baseman Jake Gatewood. Daniel Sweet walks. Gavin LaValley flies out to center fielder Corey Ray. Aristides Aquino homers (4) on a fly ball to left field. Daniel Sweet scores. Brian O'Grady doubles (4) on a fly ball to center fielder Corey Ray. Cassidy Brown singles on a line drive to center fielder Corey Ray. Brian O'Grady scores. Cassidy Brown advances to 2nd, on a fielding error by center fielder Corey Ray. Josh Uhen intentionally walks C. McElroy. Keury Mella doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Troy Stokes Jr. Cassidy Brown scores. McElroy scores. Pitching Change: Jon Olczak replaces Josh Uhen, batting 9th. Shed Long lines out to right fielder Clint Coulter.

Final: Biloxi 1, Pensacola 0 Jankins Spots Shuckers' Franchise Record Ninth Straight at Home Righty Fans Career-High Eight in 1-0 Lockdown Win By Garrett Greene / Biloxi Shuckers Jankins tossed 7.0 scoreless innings, striking out a career-high 8 against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on May 12. (Photo: Michael Krebs) Biloxi Box Score Biloxi scored one unearned run on Saturday night - then saddled up to a stellar performance from Thomas Jankins for a 1-0 victory over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Jankins gave up only five hits and a pair of walks in seven innings of work. He struck out eight batter while improving his record to 6-1 on the year. The Shuckers have won nine games in a row. Nick Ramirez and Nate Griep tossed a scoreless frame each to seal the victory. Batting Jake Hager: 2-3, 2B Clint Coulter: 2-3 Dustin Houle: 0-1, 2BB Pitching Thomas Jankins: 7.0 IP, 5 hits, 0 ER, 2BB, 8K, Win Nick Ramirez: 1.0 IP, 0 hits, 0 ER, 0BB, 2K Nate Griep: 1.0 IP, 0 hits, 0 ER, 1BB, 0K, save Notes Griep has 14 saves on the season. Biloxi Log Biloxi's one unearned run was all that the team would need for the win. Biloxi Bottom of the 2nd Jake Gatewood reaches on a throwing error by third baseman Taylor Sparks. Blake Allemand called out on strikes. Jake Hager doubles (11) on a line drive to left fielder Brian O'Grady. Jake Gatewood to 3rd. Clint Coulter singles on a line drive to center fielder Daniel Sweet. Jake Gatewood scores. Jake Hager to 3rd. Dustin Houle flies out to right fielder Aristides Aquino. Thomas Jankins grounds out, pitcher Daniel Wright to first baseman Nick Longhi.

[pre]Brewers Lineup Rockies Lineup 1. Lorenzo Cain ® CF 1. DJ LeMahieu ® 2B 2. Christian Yelich (L) RF 2. Charlie Blackmon (L) CF 3. Ryan Braun ® 1B 3. Nolan Arenado ® 3B 4. Jesús Aguilar ® 3B 4. Carlos González (L) RF 5. Domingo Santana ® RF 5. Trevor Story ® SS 6. Hernán Pérez ® 2B 6. Gerardo Parra (L) LF 7. Orlando Arcia ® SS 7. Ian Desmond ® 1B 8. Jett Bandy ® C 8. Chris Iannetta ® C 9. Brent Suter (L) P 9. Kyle Freeland (L) P [/pre]

Very sweet comeback. Great job.

Final: Biloxi 6, Montgomery 4 Four-Run Ninth Propels Shuckers To 6-4 Win Home Run By Coulter Seals Comeback for Biloxi By Garrett Greene / Biloxi Shuckers (Photo: Michael Krebs) Biloxi Box Score Biloxi scored four runs in the top of the 9th to rally for a 6-4 win over the Montgomery Biscuits. The big blow was a two-run home run by Clint Coulter. Jake Gatewood, who started the 9th inning rally with a double, had three hits on the night, including a home run. Kodi Medeiros went six innings, but put up middling numbers - surrendering four runs on four hits (including a pair of HRs) and four walks. Batting Corey Ray: 2-5 Jake Gatewood: 3-4, 2B, HR Clint Coulter: 1-4, HR Pitching Kodi Medeiros: 6.0 IP, 4 hits, 4 ER, 4BB, 2K Wuilder Rodriguez: 2.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 1BB, 2K, Win Nick Ramirez: 1.0 IP, 0 hits, 0 ER, 0BB, 2K, Save Notes Nick Ramirez made an appearance as a 1B in the bottom of the 10th. Biloxi Log Coulter's 2-run HR capped a stunning Biloxi comeback. Biloxi Top of the 9th Jake Gatewood doubles (3) on a line drive to right fielder Nathan Lukes. Tyler Heineman doubles (5) on a line drive to left fielder Nick Solak. Jake Gatewood scores. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Darren Seferina replaces Tyler Heineman. Jake Hager grounds out, second baseman Brandon Lowe to first baseman Michael Brosseau. Darren Seferina to 3rd. Blake Allemand triples (1) on a line drive to left fielder Nick Solak. Darren Seferina scores. Pitching Change: Reece Karalus replaces Travis Ott. Clint Coulter homers (2) on a line drive to center field. Blake Allemand scores. Wendell Rijo pops out to catcher Danny De La Calle in foul territory. Corey Ray grounds out, pitcher Reece Karalus to first baseman Michael Brosseau.

I have not. I only know it was hamstring tightness - something that has bothered him in the past. It was supposed to be minor. Let's hope he's back soon. He was having a really nice season. The guy just can't seem to avoid these minor injuries.

This, this, and this. Who would the Brewers have to include with Villar to get him? Ponce? Stokes plus Derby? Yeah, Lowrie would be ideal. We just have to wait until Oakland gets to the point where they are out of the race and willing to deal him. If that happens - and Milwaukee is still in it - a Lowrie/Lucroy package would be interesting.