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SL Mississippi Braves

Rijo Homers Twice in 6-2 Win over Smokies

June 24, 2021 - Southern League (SL)
Mississippi Braves News Release


Wendell Rijo of the Mississippi Braves
Wendell Rijo of the Mississippi Braves
(Mississippi Braves)

PEARL, MS - Wendell Rijo hit two home runs and Shea Langeliers added another, as the Mississippi Braves won their second-straight over the Tennessee Smokies on Thursday night, 6-2. Mississippi's seventh victory of the homestand places them into a tie for first place in the South Division of the Double-A South with Pensacola.

The M-Braves (27-18) are now 7-2 in the homestand, 19-6 since May 27, and nine games over .500 for the first time this season.

Spencer Strider made his highly anticipated Double-A debut on Thursday night and didn't disappoint. The Atlanta Braves' fourth-round pick in 2020 struck out two in the first inning, needing just nine pitches (all strikes) to retire the side in order.

The Smokies (15-28) got a leadoff hit from Cubs No. 2 prospect Brennen Davis to begin the top of the second inning against Strider. After a Davis stolen base and wild pitch, he scored on an Andy Weber sacrifice fly to make it 1-0.

The M-Braves were held off the scoreboard in the first two innings by Smokies starter Erich Uelmen (L, 1-5), but that changed in the third inning. Rijo came to the plate with one out and deposited a 389-foot home run to left to tie the game at 1-1. As the lineup flipped, Justin Dean drew and walk, and Trey Harris reached on a fielder's choice for the second out of the inning. Then, Langeliers blasted a 435-foot round-tripper over the left-field bullpen to give Mississippi a 3-1 advantage. The homer was Langeliers' 11th on the season, tying him for the second spot in the Double-A South.

Tennessee put the first three batters on to begin the fifth inning, but after an RBI single from Nelson Maldonado, Strider struck out his seventh and eighth batters of the night with the tying run 90-feet away. Strider ended his eighth professional outing with 82 pitches (59) strikes, allowing two runs on three hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. The 22-year-old has 64 strikeouts in 34.2 innings this season. Kurt Hoekstra took over and induced a groundout to keep the Braves up 3-2.

After adding a fourth run in the fifth inning on a ground out by CJ Alexander, the M-Braves pulled away in the seventh. Rijo opened the frame with his second home run of the game, this one traveled 410-feet to the left-field berm. The 25-year-old from the Dominican Republic recorded his first career multi-homer game, giving him four on the season.

Dean reached on a walk, and then Harris singled, allowing Langeliers to drive in his third run on a single to make it 6-2.

In total, the M-Braves recorded 12 hits and had four players record multi-hit games. Dean reached base safely four times, finishing 1-for-2 with a single, three walks, and two runs scored. The Mauldin, SC native also recorded his league-leading 14th stolen base. Harris was 2-for-3 with a walk and run scored, and Braden Shewmake was 2-for-3 with a walk.

Brooks Wilson (W, 2-1) posted another scoreless outing out of the bullpen, striking out three and walking none over the seventh and eighth, lowering his ERA down to 1.79. Brandon White struck out two in a 1-2-3 ninth to finish the game, dropping his ERA to 1.69.

The M-Braves will go for their third-straight win on Friday night in game four of the six-game set. LHP Hayden Deal (1-2, 3.28) starts for the Braves against RHP Javier Assad (0-3, 4.32) for Tennessee. The first pitch is set for 6:35 pm with coverage on 103.9 WYAB, mississippibraves.com, and MiLB.tv.

Friday's Promotions:

Freddie Freeman Replica Jersey Giveaway - The first 1,500 fans on Friday will receive a replica jersey of former Mississippi Braves' first baseman and 2020 NL MVP,** Freddie Freeman, presented by Morgan & Morgan.

Kids Run The Bases - Kids, 14-and-under will have the opportunity to run the bases after every Friday and Sunday home game at Trustmark Park, presented by Game on Wheels.

Trustmark's $10,000 Dash For Cash - After each Friday home game, fans can register for the chance to snag cold hard cash. Then, ten lucky fans will have 1:00 to snag as much of the $10K spread out all over the outfield.

For tickets or more information about the M-Braves, visit mississippibraves.com or call 888-BRAVES4.

Check out the Mississippi Braves Statistics




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Wendell Rijo of the Mississippi Braves
Wendell Rijo of the Mississippi Braves
   



Southern League Stories from June 24, 2021


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