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 Mississippi Braves

Tying Run Stranded in Ninth as Braves Fall to Suns 2-1

July 22, 2012 - Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


Jacksonville, FL - Todd Cunningham's home run to start the ball game was a fine first step in Sunday afternoon's soiree with the Suns, but unfortunately, it was the only run the Mississippi Braves would get.

After a double-play ended the first inning, the Braves (10-19; 40-59) had just five more hits - spread out over five different innings - and they fell by a final score of 2-1 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

In a tie game in the eighth, Donnie Webb, who had just entered as a defensive replacement in centerfield, doubled with a fly ball to left. Tim Smith dove but couldn't make the play. Jake Smolinski laid down a sacrifice bunt to move him up to third, and Chris Gutierrez hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring the go-ahead run and putting the Suns ahead 2-1.

Zeke Spruill went the distance, allowing just two runs on seven hits over eight innings. It was his first complete game of the year, but his tenth loss.

Spruill and Suns starter Graham Taylor dueled for the first seven innings before Taylor was removed in the tie game. He allowed just a run on five hits, striking out four while walking three. Josh Schmidt came on in relief, pitching the eighth and picking up the win, his fifth. AJ Ramos earned his 13th save, pitching the ninth.

Jacksonville got a leadoff single in the fifth from Curt Smith. Danny Pertusati followed with a single of his own, and Smith was thrown out at third on a Taylor bunt. Smolinski came up and singled to centerfield, scoring Pertusati and tying the game 1-1.

Keenan Wiley led off the ninth with a single off Ramos, but he was stranded at second to end the game.

Joey Terdoslavich went 2-for-2 in the loss, extending his hit streak to five games. Christian Bethancourt also extended a hit streak to five games, going 1-for-4 on the afternoon.

After falling in three of four to the Suns, the Braves now look to get back on a winning track against the Mobile BayBears. Tuesday night's opener of the five-game series begins at 7:00 PM CT from Trustmark Park, with Sean Gilmartin (5-8, 3.59) squaring off against BayBears right-hander Michael Bolsinger (2-2, 3.94). Fans can listen live on 103.9 WYAB and online at MississippiBraves.com beginning at 6:30 PM CT with the Vicksburg Toyota "Countdown to First Pitch."


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