NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Mississippi Braves

Playoff Hopes Live as M-Braves Beat Smokies 4-1

June 16, 2013 - Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


Kodak, TN - The Mississippi Braves stayed alive in the Southern League South playoff race thanks to a Mobile BayBears loss and a Braves' 4-1 win over the Tennessee Smokies on Sunday afternoon.

The hits were scarce early but came late as Mississippi (38-31) pulled away in the eighth inning.

Tennessee (33-35) led 1-0 through six innings, but the Braves tied the game in the seventh on a Mycal Jones RBI single, plating Jaime Pedroza from second.

An inning later, Mississippi posted three runs to pull away and seal the win. Barrett Kleinknecht led off the frame with a single, moving to second on a Phil Gosselin sacrifice bunt. Christian Bethancourt walked to set up Edward Salcedo's RBI double off the wall, giving the Braves a 2-1 lead.

A batter later, Pedroza ripped a two-run single to make it 4-1 Mississippi.

Ryne Harper and Mark Lamm combined to close out the game, with Lamm earning his eighth save by striking out Jonathan Mota to end the game.

Starter Gus Schlosser threw six innings and allowed just a run on six hits. He struck out four and walked two on the start. Harper (3-1) picked up the win in relief, throwing 2 1/3 scoreless.

Hunter Cervenka (1-1) suffered the loss for the Smokies, allowing three runs in two relief innings. AJ Morris pitched four shutout innings in the start, allowing just one hit and striking out five.

Tennessee put runners on the corners with one out in the second off Schlosser. Right fielder Luis Silva singled and moved to third on a Christian Villanueva single. Catcher Rafael Lopez grounded to first base, and Christian Marrero started to turn a double play, but the return throw to first was late and Silva scored to make it 1-0 Smokies.

Meanwhile, Pensacola downed Mobile 4-0 on Sunday, which means the Braves trail by just a 1/2-game with one game remaining in the first half. A loss by Mobile and a win by Mississippi on Monday would give the Braves a first half win and a spot in the playoffs in September.

The potential clinching game begins on Monday at 6:15 PM CT, with right-hander Aaron Northcraft (2-4, 4.30) getting the start against Smokies left-hander Erik Jokisch (4-6, 3.67). Listen live to Kyle Tait on the call beginning at 6:00 PM with the "Countdown to First Pitch" on 103.9 WYAB and online at MississippiBraves.com.

Check out the Mississippi Braves Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Southern League message board...

Southern League Stories from June 16, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central