SL1 Mississippi Braves

Barons Hold off M-Braves' Rally in 9th

Published on July 19, 2014 under Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


Birmingham, AL - The Mississippi Braves came two bases shy of a tie, nearly erasing a five-run deficit in the ninth inning on Saturday night at Regions Field en route to a 5-4 loss at the hands of the Birmingham Barons.

Trailing 5-0 entering the final frame, Mississippi (15-14; 54-44) finally broke through against Birmingham starter Chris Beck, nearly rallying all the way back. Mycal Jones reached on an error by Beck and Rich Poythress singled to right-center. David Rohm singled to plate Jones and break the shutout, chasing Beck after 8 1/3 innings.

Kevin Vance came on in relief for a save chance and Kyle Kubitza welcomed him to the game with a two-run triple, pulling the deficit to 5-3 with the tying run at the plate. Daniel Castro doubled over Trayce Thompson's head in left to pull it to 5-4, and Mississippi pinch ran Jose Peraza at second.

Jared Mitchell made a game-saving, diving catch when Matt Kennelly lined a ball hard to center field, and Barrett Kleinknecht flied to right to end the game.

Beck (5-8) picked up the win, allowing three runs, two earned, on six hits and three strikeouts over 8 1/3 innings. Vance (6) picked up the save with a run on two hits in the final 2/3 innings.

Birmingham (15-12; 44-53) built up an early lead on starter JR Graham (1-4), striking for two in the first inning. Josh Richmond walked with two outs and Rangel Ravelo, Kevan Smith and Christian Marrero hit three straight singles, the latter two scoring a run each.

Just activated off the disabled list on Saturday afternoon, Graham went just an inning and suffered the loss, striking out one and walking one in a frame.

Ryan Weber came on in long relief, allowing three runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 frames. John Cornely and Andrew Robinson threw scoreless appearances over the final 2 1/3 innings.

Thompson led off the third with a leadoff double off Weber, stole third and scored on a Ravelo sacrifice fly to make it 3-0.

Birmingham struck for more two-out runs in the fourth. Chris Curley and Jeremy Farrell singled, with Farrell tagged out at second on a Dan Wagner fielder's choice. Mitchell walked to load the bases and Thompson hit a two-run single for a 5-0 lead.

The loss sent the Braves to their third consecutive series loss, with Birmingham taking three in a row. The two teams will square off in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 PM CT. Right-hander Mitch Atkins (4-0, 4.69) is scheduled to get the start against Barons right-hander Myles Jaye (1-8, 6.63).

Listen live to Kyle Tait on the call beginning at 2:30 PM CT on 103.9 WYAB and online at MississippiBraves.com.

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Southern League Stories from July 19, 2014


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