Hursh, Hoyt, Simmons Dazzle Double-A Mariners in 3-2 Win

Jackson, TN - Jason Hursh twirled one of the finest pitching performances of the young season and Shae Simmons blew away the final few Jackson Generals hitters as the Mississippi Braves picked up a 3-2 road win on Thursday night.

Hursh threw six innings, the longest outing by a Braves starter in the first seven games, and allowed just a run on six hits. It took the right-hander just 57 pitches-40 of them strikes-to get through his six frames.

Meanwhile, the Mississippi offense jumped early on Generals starter Trevor Miller. In the second, Robby Hefflinger got a two-out infield hit down the third base line, and Gustavo Nunez hit the next pitch through the left-side hole to put two on for Matt Kennelly.

The Braves catcher stroked a single to center to score the first run of the day, then centerfielder Matt Lipka followed suit with an RBI single to right to make it 2-0 Braves.

Miller settled in, and after seven hits through three innings, the Braves (3-4) didn't get another hit until the eighth-but that didn't seem to matter to the trio of hurlers, who kept Jackson (4-3) at arm's length all night.

The Generals got on the board in the fifth inning when Jack Marder singled to lead off. Leon Landry sacrificed him over, then Ramon Morla grounded out to the pitcher to move Marder to third. With two outs, John Hicks singled to right to make it 2-1 Braves.

In the eighth, Mississippi inched forward with another run. Seth Loman got on base by an error on the second baseman Marder. Barrett Kleinknecht pinch-ran for him, and with two out and two strikes, Kyle Kubitza clubbed a double to the base of the wall in center to make it 3-1 Braves.

After Hursh's night, James Hoyt threw 1 2/3 relief innings, allowing just a run on three hits. The Generals pulled close again on a Jabari Blash two-run double with two away in the eighth, but then came Shae Simmons.

The M-Braves closer had a stellar night, facing five hitters and striking out all but one of them to pick up his second save of the year.

Lipka finished the day with two hits and a stolen base to lead the way at the plate.

With the series tied up at a game apiece, the M-Braves and Generals go toe-to-toe in the third of five games on Friday night, with first pitch slated for 7:05 PM CT at the Ballpark at Jackson. Mississippi throws right-hander Williams Perez (0-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. Generals right-hander Stephen Landazuri (0-1, 0.00 ERA).

Listen live to Kyle Tait on the call beginning at 6:30 PM CT on 103.9 WYAB or online at MississippiBraves.com and TuneIn Radio.

 

Mississippi Braves (3-4)                 3 R          8 H         0 E
Jackson Generals (4-3)                 2 R          9 H         1 E

W - Hursh (1-0)
L - Miller (0-1)

S - Simmons (2)

Time - 2:40

Attendance - 2,745