SL1 Mississippi Braves

Braves Back in Win Column

Published on May 5, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


Pearl, MS - After dropping three of four in West Tenn and four of five against Montgomery, the M-Braves picked up the win Tuesday night at Trustmark Park, 8-1. The Braves and Smokies had to endure a torrential downpour and a hailstorm that halted the game for :58 minutes, but the Braves finally took the win shortly before 11:30 pm.

For the 11th straight game, Mississippi's opponent scored first, but this time, it would be the only time they'd score. Tennessee's James Adduci singled and scored on an error later in the inning. It marked the sixth time in the in the last 11 games the Braves' opponent has scored in the first inning.

This time, Mississippi answered. The Braves got an unearned run of their own after Gorkys Hernandez reached on a three-base error. He scored easily on a single by Willie Cabrera and the score was tied. Mississippi added a run in the second when Travis Jones blasted his first homer of the year off the batter's eye in centerfield.

A two-run fifth inning gave the Braves a 4-1 lead. Hernandez walked and Matt Young followed with a single up the middle. Hernandez came in to score when Cabrera reached on a fielder's choice error that also allowed Young to move to second. Cabrera and Young executed a double steal that gave the Braves their fourth run of the night.

Kala Ka'aihue's fourth homer of the year cleared everything in left field in the seventh inning. His towering shot gave the Braves a 5-1 lead. It marked the first time this year the Braves have hit two homers in the same game.

Hernandez drove in two with a bases loaded single in the eighth. Greg Creek scored from third when Young hit into a fielder's choice to give the Braves an 8-1 lead.

Ryne Reynoso gave up an unearned run on three hits over two innings before the rain and hail came. He left the game with a 2-1 lead, but did not factor into the decision. Jeff Lyman fanned five over four scoreless innings. Kevin Gunderson threw two shutout innings and Rafael Cruz threw a shutout ninth.

Hung-Wen Chen gave up two runs, one earned, on three hits over two frames. Brian Schlitter threw one scoreless frame and Jeremy Papelbon gave up two unearned runs in 2.1 innings. Alex Maestri gave up a run in 1.2 innings and Todd Blackford gave up three runs in his inning on the hill.

The Braves and Smokies will play game two of this five-game set and game six of this 10-game homestand Wednesday morning at 11 am. Mississippi will go with lefty Johnny Venters (1-1, 1.16) while Tennessee will counter with righty Casey Coleman (3-1, 2.74).

The M-Braves will encourage physical fitness on Wednesday when the Silver Sneakers Fitness Program invades Trustmark Park. A pre-game exercise demonstration will take place on the field and the first 1,000 kids in the stadium will receive a free Babe Ruth educational magazine. It's also Kids Night (day) when all children 14 and under will get field level seats for only $2 and Fun Zone wristbands for only $5.

Check out the Mississippi Braves Statistics

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Southern League Stories from May 5, 2009


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