SL Mississippi Braves

Lugbauer Becomes League's Home Run Leader in M-Braves' Loss to Trash Pandas

Published on August 12, 2023 under Southern League (SL)
Mississippi Braves News Release


MADISON, AL - Drew Lugbauer hit his 22nd home run and moved into the league's home run lead, but the Mississippi Braves (49-57, 16-22) lost to the Rocket City Trash Pandas (49-58, 18-20) on Saturday night at Toyota Field by a score of 5-3.

Jesse Franklin V singled to right-center field in the second inning to increase his on-base streak to 23 games. The streak is longest by an M-Brave this season and tied for the longest active streak in the Southern League.

Rocket City scored runs in the second and the fourth to take a 2-0 lead. The Trash Pandas had a chance to add another run, but Luke Waddell made a nice running play on an infield grounder and got the throw to first base in time to prevent a run from scoring.

Drew Campbell put the M-Braves on the board with a solo shot to right field in the fifth to make it 2-1. Campbell homered for the eighth time and extended his hitting streak to eight games.

Rocket City scored two more runs to lead 4-1 after six innings.

Lugbauer rocketed a solo homer to right to make it 4-2 in the seventh. Lugbauer homered for the second time in the series and the 22nd time this season. The first baseman moved into the home run lead in the Southern League.

The Trash Pandas scored another run in the bottom of the seventh to extend their lead back out to 5-2.

Trailing by three runs in the ninth, Cody Milligan led off with a double. After stealing third base, Milligan scored on a wild pitch to make it 5-3. The M-Braves failed to muster another baserunner to get a rally going.

Milligan was the only M-Brave with multiple hits, going 2-for-4 with a double and a run. The M-Braves did not walk, a rarity this season, and put up seven hits. Brett Kerry earned the win for Rocket City with seven innings of two-run ball.

The series finale is on Sunday afternoon at Toyota Field. LHP Domingo Robles (6-7, 3.94) will make the start Mississippi while RHP Victor Mederos (4-6, 5.45) will start for Rocket City. The first pitch is at 4:05 pm CT, with coverage starting 15 minutes before on 102.1 The Box, MiLB First Pitch App, and Bally Live.

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Southern League Stories from August 12, 2023


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