M-Braves Drop Close Contest to Montgomery 5-4

May 20, 2023 - Southern League (SL)
Mississippi Braves News Release

MONTGOMERY, AL - The Mississippi Braves (16-21) gave up a late lead in a 5-4 loss to the Montgomery Biscuits (20-18) on Saturday night at Riverwalk Stadium. The Biscuits scored four runs in the seventh and eighth innings, storming back to take a three to two series lead.

The M-Braves started fast. Drew Lugbauer hammered his team-leading seventh homer to right field to make it 1-0. After a double by Hudson Potts put two runners in scoring position, Andrew Moritz lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to make it 2-0.

RHP Alan Rangel battled out of two jams early. After loading the bases in the first, Rangel retired three in a row to escape without allowing a run. In the second, Rangel allowed a solo homer, but a lineout to Cal Conley was flipped to second base for a double play to get Rangel out of trouble again.

The M-Braves led 2-1 after two innings. Javier Valdes increased his on-base streak to 14 games with a base hit in the third inning.

Rangel retired the final 10 batters he faced, finishing with five innings of one-run ball. The right-hander gave up two hits and three walks with seven strikeouts. Rangel is 1-3 with a 4.24 ERA over 35 innings in seven starts this season. He has 10 walks to 42 strikeouts.

Rangel exited the game with the M-Braves ahead 3-1 after five innings. Hudson Potts knocked in run in the fourth with an RBI base hit on a groundball the other way to right field. Potts went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and an RBI.

The Biscuits came roaring back in the seventh, scoring two runs to tie the game. RHP Alec Barger forced a lineout into a double play to keep the game tied after seven innings. However, Montgomery hit back-to-back homers in the eighth to take a 5-3 lead.

In the ninth, Beau Philip led off with a triple to center field. Cade Bunnell scored Philip with a sacrifice fly to make it a one-run game. RHP Michael Mercado retired the next two batters to thwart the comeback attempt and pick up his third save.

The series finale is on Sunday at Riverwalk Stadium. RHP Scott Blewett (1-2, 3.80) will make the start for Mississippi with RHP Cole Wilcox (0-3, 4.85) starting for Montgomery. The first pitch is at 3:33 pm CT, with coverage starting 15 minutes before on 102.1 The Box, First Pitch App, and Bally Live.

Mississippi Braves at bat

Southern League Stories from May 20, 2023

• Lookouts Score 12 Runs in Fifth Straight Win - Chattanooga Lookouts
• Lookouts Tally Six Extra-Base Hits, Defeat Shuckers 12-2 - Biloxi Shuckers
• Biscuits Come Back to Beat M-Braves, 5-4 - Montgomery Biscuits
• M-Braves Drop Close Contest to Montgomery 5-4 - Mississippi Braves
• Tennessee Out-Slugs Pensacola to Take a 3-2 Series Lead - Knoxville Smokies
• Pensacola's Comeback Foiled in 13-6 Loss - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
• Trash Pandas' Kohanowicz Tosses Complete Game Gem - Rocket City Trash Pandas
• Barons Drop 10th Straight in 8-6 Loss to Rocket City - Birmingham Barons
• Barons Break Double-Digit Losing Streak In 3-2 Victory Over Rocket City - Birmingham Barons

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