Sports stats



SL1 Mississippi Braves

M-Braves Stumble in Critical Series Opener

August 30, 2013 - Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


Jacksonville, FL - With a chance to take advantage in the Southern League South playoff race, the Mississippi Braves fell just short 4-3 against the Jacksonville Suns on Thursday night in the series opener at Bragan Field.

While there is a chance for the Braves to make the playoffs if they lose this series, a series victory guarantees a Southern League playoff date with the Mobile BayBears. But that effort didn't start out on a positive note in the opener.

With the game tied 3-3, Suns second baseman Chris Gutierrez smacked a double to right field off reliever Juan Jaime, scoring Brent Keys from second and giving Jacksonville (37-28; 71-61) the lead for good.

The double came an inning after Jacksonville tied the game in the sixth. The Braves (36-29; 74-61) led 3-2 but the first four hitters of the frame reached on starter Mike Lee. Mark Canha and Gutierrez led off with back-to-back singles, and Audy Ciriaco walked to load the bases. Catcher JT Realmuto singled on a blooper, tying the game 3-3.

That ended Lee's day, pitching five innings with three runs on eight hits, striking out five and walking two. Jaime came on and stranded the bases loaded, keeping the game tied entering the seventh.

Mississippi took a lead in the sixth inning, breaking a 2-2 tie with a Robby Hefflinger RBI double off the base of the wall in left. The knock scored Tommy La Stella from second base, making it 3-2 Braves.

It was the third straight run scored by Mississippi, after tying the game 2-2 in the fifth. Jacksonville native Mycal Jones stroked a ground ball single through the left side hole, plating Hefflinger and Christian Marrero to erase an early 2-0 deficit.

Top Marlins prospect Andrew Heaney pitched six innings and gave up three runs on six hits In the no-decision, and three Suns relievers combined to no-hit the Braves over the final three frames. Southern Miss product Collin Cargill picked up his third win of the year, while Michael Brady earned his 22nd save.

Jaime suffered the loss for the Braves, his fourth.

The Suns jumped to an early 2-0 lead on Mississippi in the first, with RBI singles from Derek Dietrich and Realmuto. Dietrich was replaced by Gutierrez after the first for unknown reasons.

The Braves try to even the score and the standings in game two on Friday night, with first pitch from Jacksonville slated for 6:05 PM CT. Mississippi tabs left-hander Ian Thomas (7-8, 2.84) against Suns right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (5-4, 3.71).

Listen live to Kyle Tait on the call beginning at 6:00 PM CT with the Mississippi Braves "Countdown to First Pitch" online at MississippiBraves.com.

Check out the Mississippi Braves Statistics



Southern League Stories from August 30, 2013


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