Ahrens, Ruiz lead M-Braves to victory

PEARL, MS -- Trailing 2-1 in the eighth, Kevin Ahrens and Rio Ruiz drove home back-to-back runs to lead the Mississippi Braves to a 3-2 victory over the Jacksonville Suns Friday night at Trustmark Park. The series continues Saturday at 6:00 PM.

 

Emerson Landoni started the bottom of the eighth with a one-out triple to center field. After an intentional walk to KD Kang, Ahrens reached on an error by the third baseman. Landoni scored on the play, tying the game at 2-2. Ruiz then delivered a drive to right field, scoring the winning run in pinch-runner Matt Lipka.

 

Mississippi (12-9, 45-44) scored three runs on seven hits. Jacksonville (9-12, 38-52) plated two runs on eight hits. Landoni led the Braves with a 2-for-4 night at the plate. Greg Ross started and gave up two earned runs on just six hits and two walks for the Braves. He fanned two in seven innings of work.

 

The M-Braves took a 1-0 lead in the second. Matt Kennelly doubled and David Rohm singled to put runners at the corners. Kennelly then came in to score when Eric Garcia grounded into a force out.

 

Jacksonville tied the game in the third. Carlos Lopez and David Adams both reached on base hits. Viosergy Rosa then delivered a RBI-single to center field.

 

Sharif Othman blasted a solo homer into the Suns bullpen to extend Jacksonville's lead to 2-1 in the fourth. It was Othman's third long ball of the season. That score held until the decisive eighth inning.

 

Mitch Lambson (1-0) picked up the win, working one inning in relief-his first appearance with the M-Braves. Tyler Jones (S, 10) came on in the ninth to notch the save. Craig Stem (1-3) blew the save for Jacksonville and suffered the loss.

 

The M-Braves send right-hander Victor Mateo (5-5, 2.87) to the hill in game four of this five-game series against the Suns. He'll counter Jacksonville southpaw Matt Tomshaw (4-6, 3.89). First pitch is slated for 6:00 PM. Gates open at 5:00 PM.

 

Jacksonville Suns (9-12, 38-52): 2 R       8 H    1 E

Mississippi Braves (12-9, 45-44):        3 R       7 H    0 E

 

W: Mitch Lambson (1-0)

L: Craig Stem (1-3)

S: Tyler Jones (10)

 

Time: 2:36

Attendance: 3,768