Peterson evens series, leads Braves past BayBears
Peterson finished the game a single shy of the cycle
PEARL, MS -- Dustin Peterson finished a single shy of the cycle, leading the Mississippi Braves to a 4-1 victory over the Mobile BayBears Thursday night at Trustmark Park. With the win, the Braves even the series at two games apiece and force the rubber match in Friday's series finale at 7:00 PM.
Mississippi (15-19) scored four runs on eight hits and Mobile (13-19) plated one run on just five hits. Peterson went 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBI, needing just a single to complete what would've been the second cycle in M-Braves history.
Rob Whalen (2-3) held the BayBears to just one earned run on four hits and a walk. He struck out four batters to pick up his second win of the season. Jason Hursh worked two scoreless innings in relief before giving way to Kyle Kinman (S, 1) to close out the game in the ninth.
The M-Braves jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first. Matt Lipka walked and stole second before Peterson tripled to right field. Carlos Franco then delivered a base hit to right, driving home Peterson for the second run.
In the second, Lipka doubled and Swanson walked with two outs. Peterson followed with a ground-rule double to center field, plating Lipka and extending the Braves lead to 3-0.
Mobile made it a 3-1 game in the third. Evan Marzilli doubled and Michael Bourn singled to put runners at the corners with one out. Bourn swiped second before Ildemaro Vargas grounded out, allowing Marzilli to score on the play.
Peterson blasted a solo homer, his fifth of the season, in the bottom of the fourth to put the M-Braves out front 4-1.
Yoan Lopez (3-3) allowed four earned runs on seven hits and four walks. He struck out one batter and suffered the loss for Mobile.
In Friday evening's series finale, the M-Braves send right-hander Brandon Barker (3-1, 1.59) to the hill against BayBears righty Edgar Garcia (0-1, 2.57). First pitch is slated for 7:00 PM. Gates open at 6:00 PM.
Mobile (13-19): 1 R 5 H 1 E
Mississippi (15-19): 4 R 8 H 0 E
W: Rob Whalen (2-3)
L: Yoan Lopez (3-3)
S: Kyle Kinman (1)
Time: 2:42
Attendance: 3,017