SL1 Mississippi Braves

M-Braves Complete Three-Game Sweep of Blue Wahoos

Published on July 21, 2019 under Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


PEARL, MS - Joey Wentz (W, 5-7) struck out five over a career-high 8.0 innings, as the Mississippi Braves (13-16, 46-52) pounded out a season-high 18 hits to beat Pensacola (11-18, 49-50) for their fourth straight win, 8-3, on Sunday night. The M-Braves secured the three-game series sweep and will go for a fifth-straight win on Monday night in Jackson, TN.

William Contreras collected the first four-hit night of his Double-A career, and five other M-Braves accounted for multiple-hit games in the series finale. Drew Waters was 3-for-5 with a double, running his season hit total to 127, which ties Durham's Daniel Mayora for the top spot in Minor League Baseball.

The M-Braves started the night in a 3-0 hole with Pensacola scoring two runs in the first inning and a single run in the third inning on a solo home run by Trevor Larnach. That would be the last of Pensacola's scoring on Sunday as Wentz would retired 15 of the final 16 batters faced and 13 straight to end his outing. Overall, Wentz allowed just three runs on five hits with one walk and five strikeouts. In his last five starts since June 26, Wentz is 2-1 with a 1.68 ERA, just six runs over 32.2 innings pitched.

The Braves sent ten batters to the plate in the bottom of the third inning and took a 4-3 lead. Alejandro Salazar began the rally with a triple, and then he scored on an RBI single from Ray-Patrick Didder. After a Didder stolen base, Drew Waters singled home the Braves shortstop to make it 3-2. Ryan Casteel drew a walk against Pensacola starter Jorge Alcala (L, 5-7) in the next at-bat to put two runners on base. After a flyout by Contreras, Greyson Jenista and Trey Harris hit back-to-back RBI singles to give the Braves their first lead.

Mississippi added another run in the sixth inning on a two-out RBI single by Contreras, scoring Waters, and it was 5-3. Waters added his third hit of the night on his league-leading 32nd double.

The Braves pulled away in the seventh inning by scoring three more runs and running the lead to 3-0. Contreras capped his four-hit night with a two-run single and Casteel added another RBI to extend the lead.

The 18 hits were one more than the 17 tallied on July 7 against Biloxi at Trustmark Park. Sixteen of hits were singles.

The Braves sent Pensacola's overall record to below .500 for the first time this season and the Twins' affiliate has dropped 13 of 15 since July 3.

The M-Braves embark on a season-long ten-game road trip beginning on Monday night in Jackson, TN against the Generals. LHP Kyle Muller (6-5, 3.50) will make the start for the M-Braves against a to be determined starter for Jackson. 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 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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Southern League Stories from July 21, 2019


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