Perez dazzles Barons, leads M-Braves to victory

PEARL, MS -- Williams Perez tossed eight innings, giving up one unearned run on three hits to lead the Mississippi Braves to a 7-1 victory over the Birmingham Barons Sunday evening at Trustmark Park. With their sixth-consecutive win, the M-Braves maintain a one-game lead in the Southern League South Division Standings.

 

Mississippi (39-24, 78-54) plated seven runs on 14 hits while Birmingham (29-34, 58-75) scored one unearned run on three hits. Offensively for the M-Braves, Braeden Schlehuber went 3-for-4 at the plate with three ribbies.

 

Perez faced just two batters over the minimum through eight innings and went back out for the ninth. After the first two batters reached, Perez handed things over to Ryne Harper. Perez (7-6) gave up one unearned run on three hits while fanning six. Harper walked one but recorded three ground outs to end the game.

 

The M-Braves took a 2-0 lead in the first. Kyle Wren and Gustavo Nunez reached on back-to-back singles. An error by the catcher allowed Wren to advance to third before Kyle Kubitza delivered a RBI-single to right. Cedric Hunter then followed with a base hit to right, scoring Nunez from third.

 

Hunter led off the bottom of the third with a walk and then stole second. A RBI-single from Seth Loman extended the Braves lead to 3-0. Rich Poythress singled and Mycal Jones singled to drive home Loman. Schlehuber followed with a single to center, scoring Poythress and making it a 5-0 game.

 

Kleinknecht walked to start the Braves' seventh. Erik Castro then singled and Mycal Jones grounded into a force out, putting runners at the corners. Schlehuber then delivered a two-run double down the left field line, extending the M-Braves lead to 7-0.

 

In the top of the ninth, Michael Earley singled and Trayce Thompson reached on an error, allowing runners to move to second and third with no outs. Harper came on to relieve Perez. He was able to get Tim Anderson to ground out, but Earley came in to score on the play.

 

Terance Marin (0-1) gave up five earned runs on 10 hits and two walks. He struck out three in five innings of work and took the loss in his Double-A debut.

                        

In game four of this five-game series at Trustmark Park, M-Braves right-hander Joe Gardner (2-2, 3.21) counters Barons righty Chris Bassitt (3-0, 0.87). First pitch is slated for 7:00 PM Monday. Gates open at 6:00 PM.

 

Birmingham Barons (29-34, 58-75):   1 R       3 H    1 E

Mississippi Braves (39-24, 78-54): 7 R       14 H    1 E

 

W: Williams Perez (7-6)

L: Terance Marin (0-1)

 

Time: 2:42

Attendance: 4,329