Biscuits top Braves in Independence Day battle
M-Braves strand decisive runs in the ninth, fall 4-3
PEARL, MS -- With the lead changing hands multiple times in the final two frames, the Mississippi Braves and Montgomery Biscuits battled until the final out in front of 6,695 fans on Independence Day at Trustmark Park. The Braves were an out away from victory in the ninth but the Biscuits fought to take a 4-3 victory Monday evening.
Mississippi (39-41, 5-6) scored three runs on nine hits while Montgomery (42-39, 8-3) countered with four runs on 11 hits. Dansby Swanson put together a 3-for-4 night at the plate with one run driven in. Jordy Lara added a 2-for-4 evening with two runs scored and one RBI.
Lara blasted a solo homer in the bottom of the third to give the M-Braves an early 1-0 lead.
Montgomery tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth. Patrick Leonard reached on a base hit to left. Keog Wong walked and Cade Gotta followed with a RBI-single to right.
In the fifth, Mike Marjama walked and Willy Adames reached on an error. A force out cut down Marjama at third, but Adames came around to score the go-ahead run on a Patrick Leonard single to left field.
The M-Braves scored twice in the bottom of the eighth to retake the lead. Lara singled and Ozzie Albies walked to start the frame. A force out put runners at the corners with two outs when a wild pitch brought in Lara. Swanson then delivered a liner to left field, plating Camargo and putting the Braves out front 3-2.
The tides turned yet again in the top of the ninth. Marjama doubled and scored on an Adames base hit to left, tying the game at 3-all. Jake Bauers then ripped a double to left field to put the Biscuits ahead, 4-3.
Mississippi looked to shake things up again the final the half inning but left runners stranded at the corners, thus ending the game and falling to the Biscuits.
Brad Schreiber (1-1) blew the save but picked up the win, working two-thirds of an inning. Kyle Winkler (S, 5) came on in the ninth to close out the contest and notch the save. Madison Younginer (0-2) suffered the loss and a blown save, giving up two earned run on three hits in the ninth.
Neither started factored in the decision. Jed Bradley held the Biscuits to two runs, one earned, on seven hits and three walks. He struck out five batters in five innings of work. Taylor Guerrieri tossed 7.1 frames for Montgomery, giving up three earned runs on seven hits and a walk. He struck out seven batters.
The M-Braves send right-hander Andrew Thurman (1-7, 6.12) to the hill in game two of this five-game series against the Biscuits. First pitch is slated for 5:00 PM. Gates open at 4:00 PM.
Montgomery (42-39, 8-3): 4 R 11 H 0 E
Mississippi (39-41, 5-6): 3 R 9 H 1 E
W: Brad Schreiber (1-1)
L: Madison Younginer (0-2)
S: Kyle Winkler (5)
Time: 3:06
Attendance: 6,695