Mateo hurls M-Braves to victory

PEARL, MS -- Victor Mateo tossed 7.2 innings and KD Kang turned in a perfect 4-for-4 night at the plate to lead the Mississippi Braves to a 4-2 victory over the Jacksonville Suns Saturday evening at Trustmark Park. The series finale is slated for 5:00 PM Sunday.

Mateo (6-5) held the Suns to one earned run on seven hits. He struck out one and walked none to pick up the win. Mark Lamm worked two-thirds of an inning to record his fifth hold. Mitch Lambson (S, 1) came on with one out in the ninth to notch his first save with the M-Braves.

Mississippi (13-9, 46-44) scored four runs on eight hits. Jacksonville (9-13, 38-53) had two runs on nine hits. J.T. Riddle led the Suns offensively with a 3-for-4 night at the plate. Eudy Pina and Zach Cox added two hits apiece.

The M-Braves took a 4-0 lead in the fifth. Levi Hyams walked and Sean Godfrey singled to start the frame. A Victor Mateo sacrifice bunt allowed both runners to advance. Emerson Landoni then delivered a base hit to third, allowing both runners to score on the play when the first baseman threw the ball to third instead of going home. Kang then singled to put runners at the corners with two outs. He stole second before Kevin Ahrens drilled a two-run single to center field.

Riddle led off the Suns' sixth with a triple off the center-field wall. He was thrown out at the plate, going for an inside-the-park home run.

In the seventh, Pina tripled and scored on a Sharif Othman's groundout to cut the Braves lead to 4-1. Pina tripled again in the ninth and scored on a Cox liner to right, making it a 4-2 game.

Matt Tomshaw (4-7) gave up four earned runs on seven hits and a walk. He struck out six batters in six innings pitched and took the loss.

The M-Braves send right-hander Steve Janas (0-2, 4.50) to the mound in Sunday afternoon's series finale at Trustmark Park. He'll counter Suns righty Scott Lyman (0-4, 8.10). First pitch is slated for 5:00 PM. Gates open at 4:00 PM.

Jacksonville Suns (9-13, 38-53): 2 R       9 H    0 E

Mississippi Braves (13-9, 46-44):        4 R       8 H    2 E

W: Victor Mateo (6-5)

L: Matt Tomshaw (4-7)

S: Mitch Lambson (1)

Time: 2:24

Attendance: 3,833