SL1 Mississippi Braves

M-Braves Stay Alive in Playoff Chase with 4-2 Win

Published on June 12, 2014 under Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


Kodak, TN - The Mississippi Braves took advantage of a Tennessee Smokies defensive blunder in the seventh inning to win 4-2 on Thursday night at Smokies Park, staying alive in the Southern League South division first-half race.

With runners at first and second and one out in a 2-2 tie game, Derrick Mitchell broke for third base early, but reliever Zach Cates overthrew the ball to third, scoring Mitchell and giving the Braves (38-28) the lead for good. Gustavo Nunez took third base on the play and scored on a Mycal Jones safety squeeze to make it 4-2.

The lead came after the two teams swapped runs back and forth through the middle frames.

The Smokies (31-35) struck first for a run in the third off of Braves starter Williams Perez. With two outs, Kris Bryant drew a walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. Charlie Cutler found a hole on the left side of the infield for a single and a 1-0 lead.

The Braves bounced back in the fifth to tie the game 1-1. Elmer Reyes led off the inning with a double against Tennessee starter Dae-Eun Rhee. Kyle Kubitza walked and the two runners moved to scoring position on a Braeden Schlehuber sac bunt. Mitchell lined one down the left field line for a sacrifice fly to tie the game.

Mississippi took a 2-1 lead in the sixth, loading the bases with nobody out on singles by Nunez and Jones and a walk by Cedric Hunter. Nunez scored on a wild pitch to break the 1-1 tie before the Braves stranded the bags full.

Tennessee tied it up again with a run in the bottom of the sixth. Bryant doubled and moved to third on a fly out to right field by Jonathan Mota. He scored the tying run when Rubi Silva tripled to the wall in center to make it 2-2.

Ryan Weber (2-2) earned the win in relief, allowing just a run on two hits in two frames. Perez allowed a run on five hits over four innings, striking out two and walking one in the no-decision.

Rhee for the Smokies gave up two earned on six hits over six innings, striking out two and walking three. Cates (0-1) suffered the loss in his 2/3 innings, allowing two unearned on no hits.

James Hoyt picked up the save, his fifth, striking out the side swinging in the ninth inning.

With the win, the Braves managed to stay alive in the first half playoff chase, but a loss in Friday's third game or a Mobile BayBears win over Pensacola would sink the M-Braves' chances. First pitch from Smokies Park is slated for 6:15 PM CT, with right-hander JR Graham (1-3, 4.72) taking the ball for the Braves against right-hander Matt Loosen (3-2, 5.33).

Listen live to Kyle Tait on the call beginning at 6:00 PM CT on 103.9 WYAB and online at MississippiBraves.com or TuneIn Radio.

Check out the Mississippi Braves Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Southern League Stories from June 12, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central