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SL1 Mississippi Braves

M-Braves Drop Seesaw Opener to Smokies

April 4, 2019 - Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


PEARL, MS - After a sluggish start offensively, the Mississippi Braves (0-1) collected eight hits over the final four innings of Thursday night's season opener at Tennessee (1-0), but ultimately fell in the seesaw battle, 7-5. Drew Waters was 3-for-4 with a double, run and walk in his Double-A debut. The loss dropped the M-Braves to 5-10 all-time in series openers and 0-4 in series openers away from Trustmark Park.

Ian Anderson, MLB.com's No. 37 overall prospect got the nod on Opening Day and despite giving up a first-inning home run to Jared Young, settled down for a no-decision and seven strikeouts over 4.0 innings of work. The third overall selection in 2016 ended up walking three and surrendering three hits, throwing 78 pitches (42 strikes).

Trailing 2-0, the M-Braves finally got the offense going in the sixth inning, once Smokies starter Thomas Hatch exited the game. Hatch tossed 5.0 shutout innings on just two hits with no walks and seven strikeouts. Waters opened the sixth inning with a line drive double down the left field line and scored on Cristian Pache's triple to right-center. The 20-year-olds produced Mississippi's first run of the night. Pache was 1-for-5 with the triple, RBI and two stolen bases.

C.J. Alexander, also making his Double-A debut followed with a single that scored Pache and the game was nodded at 2-2. Luis Valenzuela followed Alejandro Salazar's single with an RBI groundout, and the M-Braves led 3-2.

As was a theme on Thursday night, the lead didn't last long. Tennessee tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single by Vimal Machin. Tennessee went ahead 4-3 in the seventh inning after the first three batters reached against reliever Jason Hursh.

The M-Braves created one last rally in the eighth inning with two outs and took back the lead. Salazar and Valenzuela had back-to-back singles, and Jonathan Morales brought each home with a two-bagger down the right-field line.

Phil Pfeifer (0-1) opened the bottom of the eighth on the mound and eventually gave way to Josh Graham with two men on base. Robel Garcia tied the game at 5-5 with a single and then pinch-hitter Christian Donahue broke the tie with a two-run double.

Mark Brooks walked a pair of batters in the ninth but preserved the 7-5 victory with his first save. Smokies reliever Zach Short (1-0) was saddled with a blown save but secured the win. Pfeifer suffered the loss.

The 3-hour, 16-minute contest saw 12 runs, 22 hits, six errors and ten pitchers used.

The Smokies and M-Braves will play game two of the season-opening five-game set on Friday night at Smokies Stadium. LHP Kyle Muller (0-0, --) will make the start for Mississippi against RHP Cory Abbott (0-0, --) for Tennessee. First pitch is set for 6:00 pm CT with coverage beginning at 5:50 pm CT on 103.9 WYAB and the TuneIn Radio app.

The M-Braves will return to Trustmark Park for the home opener on Wednesday, April 10 against the Mobile BayBears at 6:35 pm CT. The home opener will feature Post-Game Fireworks after the game! For tickets visit mississippibraves.com/tickets or call 888-BRAVES4.

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