SL1 Mississippi Braves

M-Braves Open Maloney Era with 3-0 Win over Smokies

Published on April 6, 2018 under Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


Pearl, MS - The Mississippi Braves opened the Chris Maloney era with a 3-0 victory over the Tennessee Smokies at Trustmark Park on Thursday. Atlanta Braves' first-round selection Kyle Wright made his Double-A debut for the M-Braves, and he certainly did not disappoint. The right-hander tossed a career-high 3.2 scoreless innings before exiting the game.

Maloney, the Jackson, MS native earned the 1,351st win of his career, which ranks ninth in Minor League Baseball.

Tyler Neslony recorded the first hit of the season for the M-Braves in the bottom of the fourth inning after roping a stand-up double down the right-field line. Neslony finished the night with the lone multi-hit contest, going 2-for-4. The Opening Day battle between the M-Braves and the Smokies was a pitcher's duel for the majority of the game. Neither team manufactured a run until the bottom of the sixth inning when Mississippi's Mike Snyder provided the M-Braves with an RBI single making the score 1-0 M-Braves and running Tennessee starter Trevor Clifton from the game. Alay Lago would then follow Snyder with a two-run RBI double off of new Smokies pitcher Jake Stinnett, giving the M-Braves a 3-0 advantage.

The 3-0 lead would prove to be enough for the M-Braves to earn their first Opening Day win in five years as Wright, Mike Mader, Jason Hursh, and Josh Graham combined for the shutout. Mader (1-0) earned the win for the M-Braves after allowing just one hit and striking out two in 2.1 IP. Hursh recorded his first hold of the season and struck out three in 2.0 IP. Graham collected his first save of the season after allowing just one hit and striking out two in 1.0 IP. Hursh is just three strikeouts away from matching Scott Diamond with the most punchouts in M-Braves history with 201.

Game two of the five-game series will take place at Trustmark Park on Friday at 7:00 p.m. Gates will open at 6:00 p.m. with the first 1,500 fans receiving wall calendars and the first 2,5000 fans receiving magnetic schedules. Post-game fireworks will follow the game. RHP, Touki Toussaint is expected to be the game two starter for Mississippi. Tennessee will also send a right-hander to the mound to start game two of the series in the form of Duncan Robinson.

The Mississippi Braves are the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Since the inaugural 2005 season, over 125 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 April 6, 2018


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