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SL1 Mississippi Braves

Pope Puts M-Braves on Top

April 22, 2007 - Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


Mississippi native Van Pope's first homer of the year gave the M-Braves a 2-1 lead in this game and a one game lead in the division. It marks the first time in team history that the Mississippi Braves have sole possession of first place.

In a game that pitted two lefties with sub-2.00 ERAs, Jo-Jo Reyes and Gio Gonzalez did not disappoint. Reyes surrendered only a solo homer through seven innings while Gonzalez gave up two solo homers. Both southpaws exited the game with their ERAs at 1.69.

The Barons took the early lead when Thomas Collaro belted his fourth homer of the year into the Braves' bullpen in left field in the second inning.

The Braves tied the score when Jarrod Saltalamacchia blasted his fourth homer of the year over the Braves' bullpen in left field.

Mississippi took the lead for good in the fifth when Van Pope belted his first homer of the year over the Braves' bullpen in left field. After five innings, the Braves led the Barons, 2-1 and the M-Braves pitching staff made it stick.

Jo-Jo Reyes gave up just the solo homer in seven innings of work and left the game with a 2-1 lead. He got his first decision of the year and his first win of the year. Ryan Basner came on in relief of Reyes and threw one shutout inning before handing the game over to Joey Devine in the ninth. Devine came on and shutdown the Barons offense in the ninth to earn his second save of the year.

Gio Gonzalez struck out 12 while allowing two solo homers through six innings. He left the game trailing 2-1 and suffered his first loss of the year. Edwardo Sierra followed with two innings of shutout relief to keep the Barons in the game, but the Birmingham offense couldn't break through against the Braves pitchers.

Mississippi and Birmingham continue this five-game series with game three on Monday night. The Braves hurler will be LHP Francisley Bueno while the Barons are scheduled to go with righty Jack Egbert. First pitch is slated for 7:05 at Trustmark Park.

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