Mejia, M-Braves Toss Three-Hit Shutout Saturday Night
May 4, 2024 - Southern League (SL)
Mississippi Braves News Release
Mississippi Braves' Ian Mejia on game night
(Mississippi Braves)
PEARL, MS - Ian Mejia tossed 7.0 scoreless innings, and Hayden Harris and Domingo Gonzalez followed to complete a three-hit shutout of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (14-11) at Trustmark Park. The trio gave up three hits, walked two, and struck out ten in the Mississippi Braves' 2-0 victory in front of 3,422 fans on Saturday night.
Mejia, Mississippi's (8-17) Opening Day starter, got rocked in Pensacola over 1.2 innings on April 5, but the 24-year-old right-hander got some payback on Saturday. Over 7.0 shutout innings, Mejia allowed only four base runners and two hits, walking one and striking out seven to earn his second win. In a team-best six starts, the New Mexico State product has a 2.40 ERA, which ranks tenth in the Southern League, and 34 strikeouts, which is tied for second in the league. In his last five starts, he has given up four earned runs in 28.1 innings, which is a 1.27 ERA.
Javier Valdes has been quiet at the plate so far in 2024, but the Miami native delivered the game-winning hit on Saturday, occurring in the second inning. Geraldo Quintero opened the bottom of the second inning with a single against Pensacola starter MD Johnson (L, 0-3). Cade Bunnell hit a ground ball that went between the legs of Wahoos' second baseman Cody Morissette to place runners at first and second base. After a groundout, Valdez laced a single up the middle to allow Quintero and Bunnell to score. That was all the offense needed.
Behind Mejia, the M-Braves bullpen was fabulous again in game five of the set. Pitching for the second-straight night, Harris delivered a scoreless 2/3 of an inning with one hit allowed, a walk, and a strikeout and turned the game over to Gonzalez (S, 2). The right-hander got the final out of the eighth inning, then struck out two in a 1-2-3 ninth inning to log his second save.
Nacho Alvarez Jr. had two of Mississippi's six hits, finishing 2-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base.
The M-Braves will try to get a split of the six-game series against the Blue Wahoos on Sunday afternoon at Trustmark Park. First pitch is set for 2:05 pm with LHP Luis De Avila (0-3, 4.63) starting for the Braves against Paul Campbell (2-1, 2.38) for Pensacola. Coverage begins at 1:50 pm on 102.1 The Box, Bally Live, and MiLB.tv.
The M-Braves invite you to bring your family to the game on Sunday! After the 2:05 contest, kids get to run the bases courtesy of TrustCare! Also, Join Us 4 A Jackson every Sunday this season and let $20 get you (4) Field Level Tickets and (4) 16 oz. Fountain Drinks!
For tickets and information on the latest promotions, visit mississippibraves.com.
Images from this story
 Mississippi Braves' Ian Mejia on game night |
Southern League Stories from May 4, 2024
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- Barons Win 4-3 on Back-to-Back Walk-Offs - Birmingham Barons
- Mejia, M-Braves Toss Three-Hit Shutout Saturday Night - Mississippi Braves
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- Biscuits Sweep Saturday Doubleheader, Capped by Baker's Heroic Walk-off - Montgomery Biscuits
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- Game Info: Saturday, May 4 vs. Pensacola Blue Wahoos: 6:05 PM CT: Trustmark Park - Mississippi Braves
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