Barons blank M-Braves, 7-0, to open homestand on Tuesday 

PEARL, MS - After an 8-4 road trip, the Mississippi Braves returned to Trustmark Park on Tuesday to begin a 12-game homestand. The Birmingham Barons were first up, and the first-place Barons greeted the M-Braves back home with a 7-0 defeat.

Odalvi Javier (L, 3-1) got off to a great start on Tuesday night for the M-Braves (20-17), tossing 4.0 shutout innings with six strikeouts, including working around trouble in the third and fourth innings.

The 24-year-old right-hander couldn't escape a jam in the fifth inning, and the Barons (23-13) got on the scoreboard first. Columbia, MS native Ti'Quan Forbes had three hits in the series opener and started the rally with a single. After a pitch hit JJ Muno, Laz Rivera hit a two-run single to put Birmingham up 2-0. Former Twins outfielder Zach Granite followed with an RBI single to make it 3-0.

Javier left in the sixth inning after 5.1 innings in his seventh start, yielding more than one run for the first time in 2021 - three runs (two earned) on five hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. Emmanuel Ramirez recorded the final two outs in the sixth, to keep the score 3-0.

Sean McLaughlin took over in the seventh inning and Birmingham started another rally with one out. On four straight hits, capped by a two-run double by White Sox No. 6 prospect Micker Adolfo, the Barons raced out to a 6-0 advantage. Rivera made it 7-0 in the eighth inning with a solo home run, his fourth on the season.

After Kurt Hoekstra pitched a perfect ninth inning for the Braves, the offense threatened in the bottom of half. Trey Harris and Shea Langeliers singled, but both were stranded. Langeliers stretched his on-base streak to eight games. Justin Dean doubled in the fourth inning, his 10th on the season, placing him in a tie for second place in the league for two-baggers.

Zach McClure (W, 1-2) earned his first win with 5.0 innings of one-hit baseball, and Barons' relievers Jake Elliott and Zach Muckenhirn combined for the three-hit shutout.

The M-Braves will look to bounce back on Wednesday night at Trustmark Park in game two of the six-game series with the White Sox affiliate. RHP A.J. Puckett (0-1, 2.93) will start for the Braves against Moss Point, MS native and former Mississippi State LHP Konnor Pilkington (1-1, 2.80). The first pitch is set for 6:35 pm with coverage on 103.9 WYAB, mississippibraves.com, and MiLB FirstPitch app.

Wednesday's Promotions:

• First Responders Day- All First Responders (Military/Veterans/Fire/Police) and Healthcare workers receive FREE ADMISSION each Wednesday home game at Trustmark Park. Just show your work badge at the box office. AMR presents first Responders Day
• Join Us 4 a Jackson - Every Wednesday, "Join Us 4 A Jackson" and let $20 get you (4) Field Level Tickets and (4) 16 oz. Fountain Drinks! Additional tickets may be purchased for just $5.
• Wine Wednesday: Every M-Braves Wednesday game is a Wine Wednesday featuring a local Sommelier along with Wine Tasting, Wine Trivia, and great prizes. The Wine Tasting will take place on the First Base Party Deck from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm, and there is no additional charge for admission along with your game ticket.

For tickets or more information about the M-Braves, visit mississippibraves.com or call 888-BRAVES4.