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SL1 Mississippi Braves

Smokies Take Series with Comeback Win on Sunday

April 7, 2019 - Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


KODAK, TN - The Tennessee Smokies (3-1) scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to come from behind and capture the series with a 4-3 victory over the M-Braves (1-3) on Sunday afternoon at Smokies Stadium.

Mississippi jumped to out to a quick 1-0 lead during heir first day game of the new season. Drew Waters walked to begin the game and went to third on the first of five doubles by the M-Braves on Sunday. Cristian Pache's liner down the left field line had them in business right away. Alejandro Salazar shot a single to right field scoring Waters and the M-Braves had the quick lead with no outs. The threat continued, but a fly out to left by Jonathan Morales forced a play at the plate and Pache was thrown out by left-fielder Jared Young to end the inning.

M-Braves starter Patrick Weigel made his first appearance in a non GCL game in 658 days on Sunday, coming off of Tommy John Surgery. The 19th ranked prospect for the Braves had a short leash throwing just 28 pitches and leaving after just 2/3 of an inning and three walks. Jeremy Walker took over and got the Braves out of the inning and dazzled over 5.1 innings.

Walker retired the first seven batters he faced until Tennessee's Jhonny Pereda hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth to even the score at 1-1. Walker turned in four strikeouts and no walks over 5.1 innings and scattered four hits in his Double-A debut.

The M-Braves broke the tie in the top of the sixth inning and used a pair of doubles. Salazar started the inning with a two-bagger and moved to third on a deep fly out by Andy Wilkins. Ray-Patrick Didder reached base with his second walk to put two runners on for Morales. The Braves catcher smoked a line drive down the left field line, scoring both runners to give Mississippi back the advantage at 3-1. Morales finished 2-for-4 with two doubles and has five RBI's and a .364 average to start the season.

Mike Mader (L, 1) relieved Walker and dealt a 1-2-3 inning in the seventh but ran into some trouble in the eighth. Tennessee collected two hits and successfully squeezed the tying run home. A bases-loaded walk brought home the go-ahead run to cap off a three-run inning and comeback.

Smokies reliever Wyatt Short (W, 1) picked up the win and Ian Clarkin (S, 1) locked down the save, despite committing a throwing error in the ninth. The Braves left the tying run and third to end the game. In total, the M-Braves left seven runners on base but finished 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position. The Smokies were 0-for-10.

The 4-3 decision is the third one-run decision and such final score in the opening series. The Braves committed a pair of errors on Sunday and have struggled with 11 during the first four games.

The Smokies and M-Braves will conclude the season-opening five-game set on Monday night at Smokies Stadium. LHP Tucker Davidson (0-0, --) will make his Double-A debut on the mound for Mississippi and be opposed by RHP Tyson Miller (0-0, --) for Tennessee. First pitch is set for 1:00 pm CT with coverage beginning at 12:50 pm CT on 103.9 WYAB and the TuneIn Radio app.

The M-Braves will return to Trustmark Park for the home opener on Wednesday against the Mobile BayBears at 6:35 pm CT. The home opener will feature Post-Game Fireworks after the game! For tickets visit mississippibraves.com/tickets or call 888-BRAVES4.

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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