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SL1 Mississippi Braves

Harris Fuels Eighth Inning Rally in Series Clinching Win

July 25, 2019 - Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


JACKSON, TN - Trey Harris delivered a go-ahead two-run single in the top of the eighth inning on Thursday night, leading to a Mississippi Braves (16-17, 49-53) series-clinching 3-1 win over the Jackson Generals (17-14, 56-45). The M-Braves have won seven of eight and taken two-straight series.

Once again pitching guided Mississippi on Thursday night with Ian Anderson making his 20th start of the season. The Atlanta Braves top pitching prospect didn't disappoint, striking out nine and walking just two over 5.1 innings.

Anderson retired the first ten batters he faced, including seven-straight on strikeouts when striking out the side in the second and third innings. The Generals first hit came from Renae Martinez in the fourth inning, which was followed by a walk to Pavin Smith. Martinez scored from second base on an errant throw by Ray-Patrick Didder to give the Generals a 1-0 lead. Three of Jackson's four runs scored in the series have been unearned.

The right-hander from Rexford, New York struck out the next two batters, working the second through fourth innings with all the outs recorded coming on punchouts. The Generals loaded the bases against Anderson in the sixth inning on two singles and a walk, and manager Chris Maloney called on new reliever Kurt Hoekstra (W, 1-0). The 26-year-old induced a 4-6-3 double play from Diamondbacks top prospect Jazz Chisholm to end the scoring threat.

Anderson ended his evening with one unearned run allowed on three hits and lowered his ERA down to 2.66. He leads Double-A baseball and ranks third in Minor League Baseball with 138 strikeouts on the season.

Hoekstra threw up a zero in the seventh inning and finished his M-Braves debut with 1.2 innings scoreless on one hit with no walks and three strikeouts.

The Braves got to Jackson's bullpen in the eighth inning and immediately put two on base via singles from Alejandro Salazar and pinch-hitter Greyson Jenista. Jackson reliever Miguel Aguilar (L, 1-1), got Didder to pop up a bunt for the first out of it inning. Cristian Pache singled to load the bases for Drew Waters. The 20-year-old stayed out of a double play by reaching on a fielders' choice and letting Salazar score the tying run. Ryan Casteel worked a walk against new pitcher Cameron Gann, and then Harris dropped in a two-run single to right-center, and the Braves led 3-1. Harris has four RBI and is batting .353 over his first six Double-A games.

Jordan Harrison struck out one and walked one over a scoreless eighth inning, and Jason Creasy (S, 4) locked down his second save of the series for the M-Braves by striking out one in a scoreless ninth. Creasy is now 4-for-4 in save opportunities with the M-Braves this season.

The win moves Mississippi to 10-4 against the Generals this season with the season finale coming up on Friday night. Daniel Lockhart was 2-for-4, Salazar was 2-for-4 and Harris was 2-for-4 in the win.

The game was played with nine MLB teams represented scouting the game, including former General Manager and current Special Assistant for the Mets, Omar Minaya in attendance.

The first leg of the ten-game road trip concludes on Friday night as the Braves will look to take four of five in the series. RHP Jasseel De La Cruz (2-5, 3.83) will start for the Braves against RHP Bo Takahashi (6-4, 3.74) for the Generals. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 pm CT with coverage beginning at 5:50 pm on 103.9 FM, First Pitch App. and TuneIn Radio. The game will also be streamed on MiLB.tv (subscription required).

The M-Braves return to Trustmark Park for a five-game series against the Tennessee Smokies, Aug. 1-5. The homestand features Mississippi State Night, Thirsty Thursday, Cowbell Sticker and Chris Maloney Bobblehead Giveaway and the largest Fireworks Show in Trustmark Park history on Saturday, Aug. 3. Visit mississippibraves.com for tickets or call 888-BRAVES4.

The Mississippi Braves are the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Since the inaugural 2005 season, 144 M-Braves have gone on to Major League Baseball. The M-Braves have made postseason play four times and went on to win the Southern League Championship in 2008. Stop by Trustmark Park or call 888-BRAVES4 Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. For the latest news and updates, visit mississippibraves.com or connect with @mbraves on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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