SL1 Mississippi Braves

M-Braves Draw Within a Half-Game of First Place After 3-1 Win over Shuckers on Saturday

August 25, 2018 - Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


PEARL, MS - The Mississippi Braves (32-26, 61-67) pulled to within a half-game of first place in the Southern League South Division second-half race with a 3-1 win over the Biloxi Shuckers (35-27, 76-56) on Saturday night at Trustmark Park. The win in front of 3,730 fans improved the M-Braves to 5-1 against their in-state rival during the second half of the season. Mississippi trails Biloxi by a half-game and now is alone in second place, one game ahead of Pensacola.

Kyle Muller became the first M-Braves pitcher to win his first four starts and notched his second-straight quality start with 6.0 innings of one-run baseball. The 20-year-old from Dallas, TX became the first to win his first three starts since Jose Ortegano in 2009 last Saturday in game two of a doubleheader against Chattanooga. Muller walked three and struck out five, lowering his ERA to 2.25. Muller has 24 strikeouts and just six walks in his 4-0 start at the Double-A level.

On Ronald Acuña Jr. Bobblehead Night, Atlanta Braves No. 23 overall prospect Travis Demeritte found his inner Acuña by doubling in three runs in the bottom of the third inning, Demeritte entered Saturday batting .366 over his last 14 games and collected three more RBI's putting his season total at a team-leading 61. The bases-clearing two-bagger brought home Muller, Alejandro Salazar, and Tyler Neslony. Muller started the rally with a walk as the M-Braves finally got to Biloxi starter Zack Brown (L, 9-1). Brown was one strike away from a no-hitter in his last meeting against Mississippi at MGM Park on June 15, but Daniel Lockhart looped a double to center, breaking up the bid. Brown entered the night as the Southern League ERA leader, but the Brewers No. 8 prospect suffered his first loss on Saturday in 20 starts.

Biloxi's lone run came across against Muller in the top of the second inning on a bloop single from Max McDowell. Mader and last night's starter Michael Mader have combined for 13 innings of one-run baseball out of the starting rotation to start the series. M-Braves starters have three quality starts in the last four games.

Cristian Pache paced the offense with his ninth multi-hit game in 20 starts at the Double-A level. The 19-year-old is batting .317 in 21 total games.

M-Braves relievers Elian Leyva, Rex Brothers and Jason Hursh (S, 5) pitched the final three innings to complete the win. Hursh picked up his fourth save in his last four appearances and is now 5-for-5 in save chances in Mississippi.

Saturday's win means that the M-Braves will finish the regular season 11-0 at home on Saturday this season. Overall on the weekends this season, Mississippi is 26-12, as opposed to 36-55 during the week. The victory is also the 30th since July 1 (30-20), which is the third-most in the league and 17th at home since July 4.

The M-Braves will look to take over first place on Sunday in game three of the five-game set at Trustmark Park. First pitch is set for 5:00 pm. Atlanta Braves No. 3 prospect RHP Ian Anderson (0-1, 6.75) will make the start for the Braves against Milwaukee Brewers No. 12 prospect RHP Marcos Diplan (2-4, 5.09) for Biloxi. Sunday is the final . Sunday is the final Mugshots FamilyFest Sunday of the season. Fans may receive 4 Dugout Level seats, 4 hot dogs/hamburgers, 4 16 oz. soft drinks, 4 bags of peanuts/popcorn, 4 M-Braves caps, 2 game programs and FREE Fun Zone wristbands. ALL FOR ONLY $62. Additional tickets with extras are $18 each. Kids 14 & under may run the bases following the game presented By Launch Trampoline Park. Coverage will begin at 5:50 pm on 103.0 WYAB, TuneIn Radio at MiLB.TV.

For more information, call the M-Braves Front Office at 601.932.8788 or 888-BRAVES4, or visit www.mississippibraves.com. Individual tickets start at just $6!

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Southern League Stories from August 25, 2018


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