SL1 Mississippi Braves

Kirkland Leads Braves Comeback

Published on August 18, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


Pearl, MS - 2,059 fans watched Kody Kirkland and the Mississippi Braves rally to beat the Mobile BayBears, 6-5, Tuesday night at Trustmark Park. Kirkland went 5-5 with three doubles and a run scored. His walk-off double in the bottom of the ninth scored Concepcion Rodriguez from second to give the Braves the win. It was the first five-hit game for the M-Braves since Luis Hernandez had five knocks on June 8th, 2006.

Mississippi got back-to-back doubles from Rodriguez and Kirkland to take a 1-0 lead in the second. Rodriguez hit a ground-ruled double to left-center to start the inning and Kirkland followed with a two-bagger down the right field line to plate Rodriguez.

Mobile plated three in the fourth and another in the fifth to take a 4-1 lead. Pete Clifford's two-run triple got the visitors on the board and then he scored on a sac-fly by Chris Rahl. Cyle Hankerd singled home Bryan Byrne the next inning give the BayBears a three-run led.

Rodriguez and Kirkland got the Braves started again in the sixth. Rodriguez got a two-out single and Kirkland followed with another double. An errant throw from Hankerd allowed Rodriguez to score and Kirkland trotted home on a ground-rule double by Travis Jones. Heading to the final third of the game, the M-Braves trailed 4-3.

Jason Heyward's team-high seventh home run tied the game at four in the seventh. Clifford put the BayBears back on top with his fourth home run of the season in the top of the eighth.

In the bottom of the eighth, Greg Creek stepped to the plate with the tying run at second and one out. He ripped a single to left that scored Travis Jones from second to tie the score at five.

Rodriguez and Kirkland were at it again in the bottom of the ninth. Rodriguez got a one-out single and stole second to move into scoring position. With two strikes, Kirkland ripped his third double of the night off the centerfield wall. The walk-off rip scored Rodriguez to give the M-Braves a 6-5 win.

Scott Diamond gave up four runs on seven hits over six innings and left the game trailing 4-3. Deunte Heath gave up a run in two innings and Lee Hyde threw a scoreless ninth to pick up his first AA win of 2009 in his first outing with the M-Braves this year.

Tom Layne was outstanding over 5.2 innings, but he ran into trouble in the sixth. In all, Layne gave up three runs on six hits in 5.2 innings. He left the game in position to earn his first AA win. Roque Mercedes allowed a run in 1.1 innings and Abe Woody gave up two runs in two innings to suffer his first loss.

The Braves and BayBears will play game three of this five-game series Wednesday night at Trustmark Park at 7:05. The Braves will send righty Kyle Cofield to the hill while the BayBears will counter with righty Wes Roemer.

On Wednesday, the first 1,000 children through the gates will receive a free Roberto Clemente Educational Magazine. It will also be Kids Night at Trustmark Park when children 14 and under get field level seats for only $2 and Fun Zone wristbands for only $5. Wednesday will be Catholic Charities Awareness Night when representatives from local Catholic Charities will be in attendance to present information to fans.

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Southern League Stories from August 18, 2009


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