BayBears take series lead with 7-6 victory

PEARL, MS -- The Mobile BayBears defeated the Mississippi Braves 7-6 in game three of the Southern League South Divisional Series Saturday night at Trustmark Park. With the win, the BayBears take a two-games-to-one lead in the best-of-five-game-series. The two teams return to Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile Sunday afternoon.

 

Jaime Pedroza and Edward Salcedo both put up three-hit nights at the plate. Salcedo also drove in two runs. Mississippi (1-2) scored six runs on 13 hits while Mobile (2-1) plated seven runs on 10 hits.

 

Mobile took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Ender Inciarte singled and took second on a fielding error by the right fielder. Mike Freeman followed with a RBI-single to right field, driving home the game's first run.

 

In the top of the second, Sawyer Carroll and Justin Greene drew back-to-back walks. Nick Ahmed the delivered a two-run double to center, extending the BayBears lead to 3-0. A groundout moved Ahmed to third before Inciarte doubled down the left field line, driving home Ahmed and making it a 4-0 game.

 

Salcedo blasted a solo homer over the Bud Light Picnic Pavilion in left field to cut the BayBears lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the second.

 

The M-Braves made it a 4-2 contest in the sixth. Mycal Jones reached on a ground-rule double to left-center, and Christian Bethancourt singled to put runners at the corners. Tommy La Stella followed with a base hit to right, driving in Jones. Omar Luna later delivered a RBI-single to center, making it a 4-3 game.

 

Pedroza singled to start the bottom of the seventh. Dan Brewer laid down a sacrifice bunt but reached on a bad throw by the pitcher, placing runners at the corners. Jones then laid down another sacrifice bunt, allowing Pedroza to score the tying run. Salcedo then singled to left, plating the go-ahead run.

 

Mobile responded in the eighth. Singles from Dustin Martin and Nick Evans put runners at first and third. Garrett Weber then reached on an error by Salcedo, allowing Martin to score the tying run. Raywilly Gomez followed with a two-run double to right field, giving the BayBears a 7-5 advantage.

 

Jose Martinez singled and moved to second on a passed ball. He came in to score on Pedroza's base hit to center field, cutting the BayBears lead to 7-6.

 

Bryan Woodall (1-0) worked one-third of an inning and picked up the win. Pat Egan (0-1) suffered the loss, giving up two runs in one inning. Jake Barrett (S, 2) came on to record the final five outs and notch his second post-season save.

 

Neither starter factored in the decision. Gus Schlosser tossed seven innings for the M-Braves, giving up four runs and three earned runs on six hits and two walks. He struck out two batters. Andrew Chafin worked five innings for the BayBears. He limited the Braves to three earned runs on six hits, a homer and one walk while fanning two.

 

The M-Braves return to Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile for game four and, if necessary, game five of the Southern League South Divisional Series. In game four Sunday evening, M-Braves right-hander Aaron Northcraft (8-8, 3.42) counters BayBears righty Bo Schultz (5-4, 2.86). First pitch is slated for 6:05 PM.

 

Mobile BayBears (2-1):       7 R      10 H    1 E

Mississippi Braves (1-2):     6 R      13 H    2 E

 

W:       Bryan Woodall (1-0)

L:         Pat Egan (0-1)

S:        Jake Barrett (2)

 

Time: 3:13

Attendance: 2,099