SL1 Mississippi Braves

Comeback Falls Short as M-Braves Lose to Suns 3-2

Published on July 21, 2012 under Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


Jacksonville, FL - The Mississippi Braves trailed for the second straight night going into the final frame, but this time a comeback wasn't in the cards.

After Tim Smith's two-run single cut a Jacksonville Suns lead to one in the eighth, Jon Link came on and closed out a 3-2 Suns win on Saturday evening at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

It was a quick game, lasting just two hours and fourteen minutes, tying for the season's shortest game.

Gary Moran pitched well but the run support just wasn't there for the right-hander. He gave up just three runs on eight hits, striking out six over seven innings. His ERA is now at 3.19, the league's second best mark, but he has a record of just 3-8.

Jacksonville (14-15; 47-52) scored first in the fourth frame. After Jake Smolinski and Chris Gutierrez got base hits to start the inning, they moved up on a Jeff Dominguez groundout to second off of Joey Terdoslavich's glove. A batter later, Kyle Jensen grounded out to the shortstop to score the first run of the day.

In the sixth, Moran got into his first and only major trouble. He grazed Chris Gutierrez with the first pitch of the inning before Jeff Dominguez and Kyle Jensen singled to load the bases with nobody out. Ben Lasater came up and hit a single to right, scoring two and extending the Suns' lead to 3-0.

Mississippi (10-18; 40-58)scored their only runs in the eighth. Todd Cunningham singled with one out and Jaime Pedroza doubled behind him, putting two men in scoring position. Smith singled to center to score both, but that was the last hit for the Braves.

Link picked up his first save for Jacksonville by shutting down the Braves in order in the ninth inning. Jose Alvarez got the win, pitching 7 2/3 innings with two runs on eight hits.

With the win, the Suns take a two-games-to-one series lead with the fourth and final game scheduled for Sunday at 2:05 PM. Right-hander Zeke Spruill (6-9, 4.18 ERA) takes on left-hander Graham Taylor (5-8, 4.44) in the finale. Listen live beginning at 1:30 PM CT with the Vicksburg Toyota "Countdown to First Pitch" at 103.9 WYAB and online at MississippiBraves.com.

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Southern League Stories from July 21, 2012


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