M-Braves fall 3-2 in game one of playoffs

MOBILE, AL -- The Mobile BayBears defeated the Mississippi Braves 3-2 in game one of the Southern League South Divisional Series at Hank Aaron Stadium Thursday night. Jose Martinez drove in both M-Braves runs while Christian Bethancourt, Tommy La Stella and Edward Salcedo all collected two hits at the plate.

 

Mississippi (0-1) scored two runs on eight hits and one error while Mobile (1-0) plated three runs on 10 hits. Nick Evans went 2-for-4 at the plate and drove in two of the BayBears runs. Ender Inciarte and Ryan Court also had two hits.

 

Bethancourt singled to center and La Stella walked to start the first. Salcedo followed with a single off the center field wall, loading the bases with no outs. Martinez then delivered a sacrifice fly to right field, putting the M-Braves out front 1-0.

 

Mobile tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth. Nick Ahmed singled to third and took second on an errant throw by the third baseman, Salcedo. Evans then followed with a RBI-single to center field.

 

The M-Braves took a 2-1 lead in the sixth. Salcedo led off with a double to right field. He stole third and came in to score on a Martinez ground out to short.

 

In the bottom of the sixth, Inciarte reached on a bunt single and Dustin Martin singled to center, putting runners at the corners. Evans followed with a base hit, driving home Inciarte and tying the game at 2-2.

 

The BayBears took a 3-2 lead in the seventh. Court and Garrett Weber singled to put runners at first and third with one out. Inciarte followed with a bunt single back to the pitcher, allowing the go-ahead run to score.

 

Archie Bradley (1-0) held the Braves to two earned runs on seven hits and a walk. He struck out four batters in seven innings pitched to pick up the win. Juan Jaime (0-1) gave up the go ahead run and took the loss for the Braves. He worked just one inning. Jake Barrett (S,1) worked the final frame to notch the save.

 

Michael Lee worked six innings for the Braves but did not factor in the decision. He gave up two runs, one earned run, on five hits and a walk while striking out two batters.

 

In game two of the SLDS, M-Braves lefty Ian Thomas (7-8, 2.76) counters BayBears left-hander David Holmberg (5-8, 2.75). First pitch is slated for 7:05 PM. Listen live to Kyle Tait on the call beginning at 6:30 PM with the Mississippi Braves "Countdown to First Pitch" online at MississippiBraves.com.

 

Mississippi Braves (0-1):     2 R 8 H    1 E

Mobile BayBears (1-0):       3 R      10 H    0 E

 

W:       Archie Bradley (1-0)

L:         Juan Jaime (0-1)

S:        Jake Barrett (1)

 

Time: 2:37

Attendance: 1,823