SL1 Mississippi Braves

M-Braves Drop Series Opener to Wahoos

May 29, 2019 - Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


PENSACOLA, FL - The South Division-leading Pensacola Blue Wahoos (31-20) hit five home runs and shut out the Mississippi Braves (22-27) at Blue Wahoos Stadium in the series opener on Tuesday night, 7-0. The five homers matched a club record, set on April 15, 2010, against West Tenn.

Joey Wentz (L, 2-4) made his tenth start of 2019 on Tuesday evening, and the 21-year-old sailed through the first inning on just 11 pitches. Alex Kirillof doubled to begin the second inning and Caleb Hamilton smashed a two-run home run to put Pensacola up 2-0.

Wentz went on to retire ten straight Blue Wahoos and 12 of 13 to get him through the fifth inning. Jimmy Kerrigan opened the sixth inning with a solo home run to push their lead to 3-0. Wentz was still below 90 pitches and in range for his fifth quality start, so the Leawood, Kansas native went back out for the seventh, Hamilton singled to open the frame and then Mitchel Kranson hit Pensacola's third round-tripper to make it 5-0. Wentz left the game after 6+ innings, giving up five runs on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts. The three homers allowed matched a season and career high.

Thomas Burrows took over for Wentz and struck out the first two batters before surrendering Pensacola's fourth home run on a solo shot from Jordan Gore. The M-Braves trailed 6-0 after the seventh.

Mississippi placed runners on base in each of the first five innings, stranding two on base in the first and second. On the night, the M-Braves went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and stranded nine on base.

Josh Graham pitched the eighth inning and gave up a two-out, solo homer to Kirillof to cap off the Wahoos' scoring. Pensacola recorded their minor league baseball leading tenth shutout of the season, and it was the seventh time Mississippi has been blanked in 2019. Cristian Pache was 1-for-3 with a walk, and Riley Unroe finished 2-for-3 to pace the four-hit attack on Tuesday.

The M-Braves and Blue Wahoos face off for game two of the five-game set on Wednesday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium. LHP Tucker Davidson (1-3, 1.68) has the second-best ERA in the Southern League, and he starts for the Braves against Pensacola LHP Charlie Barnes (0-0, --) making his Double-A debut First pitch is set for 6:35 pm with coverage beginning at 6:20 pm on 103.9 WYAB, TuneIn Radio, MiLB First Pitch app. and MiLB.TV (subscription required).

The Mississippi Braves are the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Since the inaugural 2005 season, 139 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 May 29, 2019


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