SL1 Mississippi Braves

M-Braves Come Back But Fall Late 9-5 to Birmingham

Published on June 25, 2012 under Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


Hoover, AL - After coming back from a 5-0 deficit to tie the game, the Mississippi Braves suffered a four-run Birmingham Barons eighth inning to fall 9-5 on Monday afternoon at Regions Park.

Todd Cunningham had two key doubles for the Braves (2-3, 32-43) in the comeback. His first cleared the bases in the sixth to make it a 5-4 game, scoring Phil Gosselin, Joey Terdoslavich and Tim Smith. In the eighth, after Smith led off with a single, Cunningham welcomed reliever Ryan Kussmaul to the game with a shooting opposite-field double just inside the third base bag, tying the game 5-5.

But the Barons (3-2; 33-41) wasted no time breaking the tie. Erik Morrison walked with one out in the eighth off of Brent Leach, starting a stretch of five straight men to reach base. Seth Loman doubled to put men on second and third for a Jake Oester tie-breaking two-run single. Damaso Espino then singled before a Terdoslavich error and a sacrifice fly by Tyler Saladino scored two more, putting Birmingham on top 9-5.

Sean Gilmartin gave up an uncharacteristic five runs on eight hits in five innings of work, taking a no decision. Pedro Hernandez gave up just two hits in four innings for the start and didn't go the minimum to earn a decision. Leach took his first loss, pitching an inning with four runs, two earned on three hits. Ryan Kussmaul blew his first save of the year but earned the win, going two scoreless innings on four hits.

Birmingham built a 5-0 lead through the first three frames. Espino's RBI single in the second with two outs scored Andy Wilkins to break the scoreless game. Jose Martinez then hit an RBI double in the third inning to plate Saladino. Morrison hit a two-out RBI single and Loman blasted a two-run home run to extend the lead to 5-0. It was Loman's 11th home run, and his second in two days.

The M-Braves now return home to welcome the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Game one of a five-game series begins Tuesday night at 7:00 PM CT. Left-hander Luis Avilan (2-5, 3.15) takes on prospect right-hander Allen Webster (2-7, 4.74). Listen live beginning at 6:30 PM CT with the Vicksburg Toyota "Countdown to First Pitch" on 103.9 WYAB and online at MississippiBraves.com.

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Southern League Stories from June 25, 2012


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