Casteel, Muller guide M-Braves dominant 6-1 win over Barons

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Ryan Casteel  went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI and Kyle Muller  struck out eight over 5.2 innings as the Mississippi Braves (20-23) closed out their road trip with a dominant 6-1 victory over the Birmingham Barons (18-26) at Regions Field. 

The road trip had not been kind to the M-Braves through Sunday, but the visiting club ended the trip with their best performance. Muller continued his dominance in May with another stellar outing. The Atlanta Braves No. 12 overall prospect gave up just one run on three hits in 5.2 innings, striking out a season-high eight batters with only two walks, securing his second win on the year. Over four starts in May, the Dallas, Texas native is 2-0 with a 1.03 ERA, surrendering just three runs over 26.1 innings, notching 24 strikeouts and just nine walks. 

The M-Braves cranked up the offense in the second inning and jumped out to a 2-0 lead against White Sox pitching prospect Kodi Medeiros (L, 0-6). Andy Wilkins doubled to begin the frame and came around to score on a one-out triple by Riley Unroe . One of the newest M-Braves Unroe collected his second RBI in as many days. The Mesa, Arizona native then sprinted home to make it 2-0 on a sacrifice fly from Jonathan Morales . 

Cristian Pache  cranked his league-leading fifth triple of the season to right-center in the third inning, scoring Ray-Patrick Didder  who reached on an error to begin the frame. Pache cruised home on the next pitch when Casteel found a hole on the infield for his first hit of the night. Casteel extended his hitting streak to 10 games, which is the longest active streak in the Southern League. The M-Braves led 4-0. 

Birmingham scored their lone run in the bottom of the third inning against Muller. Luis Basabe singled home Mississippi native Ti'Quan Forbes to trim the lead to 4-1. 

Casteel put the game out of reach in the fifth inning with his fourth home run of the season. The 398-foot two-run blast to center made it 6-1. 

The M-Braves collected a season-high three triples and five of their 10 hits were for extra-bases. Pache finished 2-for-5,for his 15th multi-hit game of the season, while Wilkins, Daniel Lockhart , and Casteel also had multi-hit efforts. 

Andres Santiago  (2.1) and Connor Johnstone (1.0) combined for an astoundingly efficient final 3.1 innings of the game. They threw just 23 pitches (20 strikes) giving up no hits and striking out one. Santiago was making his first appearance of the year for Mississippi while Johnstone was making his ninth. Johnstone, the Atlanta native has given up just two runs over 19.2 innings this season, posting an incredible 0.92 ERA. 

The M-Braves return to Trustmark Park and begin a five-game homestand against Jacksonville on Wednesday night. RHP Jeremy Walker  (1-4, 3.10) starts for the M-Braves against RHP Jorge Guzman (1-4, 3.27) for the Marlins affiliate. First pitch is set for 6:35 pm with coverage beginning at 6:20 pm on 103.9 WYAB, TuneIn Radio, MiLB First Pitch app. and MiLB.TV (subscription required). 

The Mississippi Braves will return to Trustmark Park for a Memorial Day Weekend Celebration, May 22-26, at Trustmark Park. Saturday, May 25 the first 1,000 fans will receive an M-Braves Patriotic Cap, in partnership with Mississippi Veterans Affairs. Post-Game Fireworks will follow the game on Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26. Each game will begin at 6:05 pm. For tickets or more information, visit mississippibraves.com or call 888-BRAVES4.