SL1 Mississippi Braves

Pope's HR Propels Braves To First

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


Mississippi native Van Pope picked the perfect time to have a his first multi-hit game of the season as he finished 3-for-3 on the afternoon including a solo Homerun (1) in the 5th inning which wound up being the deciding run. The Braves (12-5) moved into sole possession of first place with their 2-1 win over the Barons (11-6) in front of a Sunday afternoon crowd of 2,715 at Trustmark Park.

Lefty Jo-Jo Reyes (1-0, 1.69 ERA) finally picked up his first win of the season tossing 7 strong innings. He allowed a wind-aided Homerun to Thomas Collaro in the 2nd inning and that was it. He struck out 5 batters and did not issue a walk while limiting the Barons to just one baserunner in scoring position. He also induced two double plays.

The Braves tied the game on Jarrod Saltalamacchia's 4th Homerun of the season in the 5th inning which was a no-doubter over the left field fence. All of his homeruns have come here at home, and it was his first right-handed homerun.

Ryan Basner tossed a scoreless 8th inning while allowing 2 singles. Joey Devine gave up an awkward leadoff double to Chris Getz in the 9th as the ball bounced off the 2nd base bag and into shallow right field. Getz never slowed down around first base and made it into second standing up. He advanced to third on a flyout by Chris Kelly. And then Devine settled down and struck out Thomas Collaro on three pitches before losing Cory Aldridge on a 3-2 pitch. He then induced Jeremy West into a game-ending ground out to Van Pope at third to notch his second save.

Both teams finished 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position

The Braves will continue a five game set in Pearl, Mississippi at Trustmark Park as they take on the Birmingham Barons, the AA Affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, in Game Three of the Southern League Series. The Braves On Deck Circle presented by Wendy's will not air due to the Rebel Yell Hotline, while the First Pitch will follow at 7:05pm (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Francisely Bueno (0-1, 11.50 ERA) to the hill in search of his first win, while the Barons will counter with RHP Jack Egbert (2-0, 1.50 ERA) who is looking to stay perfect on the year.

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Southern League Stories from April 22, 2007


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