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SL1 Mississippi Braves

M-Braves Walk-Off Twice on Dallas Keuchel Day at Trustmark Park

June 16, 2019 - Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


PEARL, MS - The Mississippi Braves (33-35) walked off with a pair of victories on Saturday night against the Mobile BayBears (26-41) in front of a season-high crowd of 5,216 at Trustmark Park. Riley Unroe hit an extra-inning walk-off single to give the M-Braves a 4-3 win in game one, and Tyler Neslony drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh inning of game two handing the home team a 3-2 victory.

Dallas Keuchel made his highly anticipated second minor league start since being signed by the Atlanta Braves on June 7 in game one on Saturday. The 2015 AL Cy Young award winner got off to a shaky start, before finishing his outing strong.

Three of the first four BayBears reached on hits against Keuchel, including a leadoff double by Jo Adell. The Angels top prospect scored on a single by Jack Kruger with one out to give Mobile a 1-0 lead. Mobile's second run of the inning scored on an RBI fielders' choice from Jhoan Urena.

Trailing 2-0, the M-Braves matched the BayBears with a pair of solo homers in the bottom of the first inning. Drew Waters extended his league-leading on-base streak to 23 games with a home run to right-center, his fifth on the season and second in two games. With two outs, Ryan Casteel smacked his eighth round-tripper to tie the game at 2-2.

Keuchel threw 14 pitches in the first inning, 19 in the second inning, and then just eight in the third inning. Through three innings, the 31-year-old lefty yielded seven hits (six being singles). The BayBears tacked on another run to take a 3-2 lead in an 18-pitch fourth inning on an RBI single by Brendon Sanger.

Keuchel would work a 1-2-3, seven-pitch fifth inning, but needed 27 pitches to work through a scoreless sixth inning that saw a walk and single. After throwing 93 pitches through six innings, he went back out for the seventh and after giving up a leadoff single to Adell, he retired the next three straight to finish his 106 pitch outing.

Overall, Keuchel allowed three earned runs on 11 hits with one walk and four strikeouts in a quality start and no-decision.

Trailing by a run, the M-Braves picked up a leadoff single from Carlos Martinez to begin the bottom of the seventh inning. Claudio Custodio, the speedy reliever pinch ran for Martinez and moved to second base on an errant pickoff throw by BayBears pitcher Ryan Clark. Custodio was caught stealing at third base on controversial call for the second out of the inning, two batters later. Two pitches after the second out was made, Cristian Pache belted a game-tying home run sending the big crowd into a frenzy, forcing the game into extras.

Jordan Harrison (W, 1-2) took over for Keuchel and kept the BayBears off the scoreboard in the top of the eighth inning. In the bottom half, pinch-hitter Daniel Lockhart moved bonus runner Tyler Neslony to third base to put the winning run on the doorstep. The next batter, Unroe came through with a walk-off single to give Mississippi the 4-3 come from behind win.

Game two began in a similar way to game one. Atlanta Braves No. 3 overall prospect Ian Anderson (W, 5-4) took the mound for his team-leading 14th start and gave up two quick runs to Mobile in the first inning. Only one was earned, but the M-Braves were immediately in a hole.

Mississippi got one run back in the bottom of the first inning against Mobile starter Tyler Carpenter. Pache singled to open the frame, extending his hitting streak to nine games. Pache moved to third base on groundouts by Waters and Neslony. Casteel reached on an error, and Pache raced home for the first run.

Anderson went on to give up just one more hit over the next six frames and retired 20 of 23 to earn a complete game in the seven-inning contest. Anderson struck out seven for the fifth straight start, upping his league-best strikeout total to 93.

The Braves tied the game up in the sixth inning. Neslony led off with a ground-rule double down the right-field line. Two batters later, Unroe hit a ground ball that was misplayed by Urena at first, and Neslony scored from second to tie game two and 2-2.

Adam Hofacket (L, 1-2) went out for his second inning of relief for Mobile in the bottom of the seventh inning and surrendered back-to-back singles to Luis Valenzuela and Lockhart. The BayBears called on hard-throwing left-hander Adrian Almeida to face Pache, and he responded with a strikeout. Almeida walked Waters, loading the bases for Neslony. He then issued a four-pitch walk bringing home Valenzuala's winning run from third base.

Anderson won his third straight start on the mound, becoming Mississippi's first five-game winner. Waters doubled in the third inning, his league-best 23rd of 2019 and extended the on-base streak to 24 games and hit streak to 12 games. The on-base streak ties for the longest this season in the Southern League and the hit-streak is the longest by an M-Brave this season.

Having won three-straight games, the M-Braves go for the series win on Sunday afternoon in game six of the set. All-Star LHP Kyle Muller (4-3, 2.58) starts for the M-Braves against RHP Jesus Castillo (4-6, 3.41) for Mobile. First pitch is set for 1:05 pm with coverage beginning at 12:50 pm on 103.9 WYAB, TuneIn Radio, MiLB First Pitch app. and MiLB.TV (subscription required).

Sunday's Promotions:

Father's Day, Pregame Catch on the Field for Dads & Kids - Celebrate Father's Day and play catch with Dad on Father's Day at Trustmark Park. Bring your glove and ball.

Bass Pro Shops Father's Day 4 Pack - Get (4) Un-dated Field Level Tickets (2019 Regular Season Home Games) and (1) Bass Pro Shops Gift Card (Limited to the first 50 purchases) and (1) M-Braves Cap.

Mugshots Sunday Family Fun Day - Take advantage of a ticket deal and bring out the entire family. Receive (1) Dugout Level seat, (1) hot dog, (1) 16 oz fountain soda, (1) small popcorn, (1) M-Braves cap, and (1) FREE Fun Zone wristband FOR ONLY $18. Additional tickets with extras are $18 each. (AVAILABLE AT THE BOX OFFICE ONLY).

Petting Zoo - The first five Sunday games will feature a live Petting Zoo, courtesy of Green Top Acres that will include mini-horses, goats, sheep and of course, bunny rabbits!

Kids Run The Bases - After each Friday and Sunday home game, kids 14-and-under are invited run the bases like the M-Braves after the game!

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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