Dodd Posts Strong Start, M-Braves Fall to Smokies 1-0

PEARL, MS - LHP Dylan Dodd posted five innings of one-run ball, but the Mississippi Braves (49-58, 20-18) fell to the Tennessee Smokies (58-49, 21-17) 1-0 in front of 6,951 fans on Saturday night at Smokies Stadium.

Dodd struck out five with two walks, racking up 82 pitches in the start. The left-hander took a tough-luck loss to fall to 0-3. In five starts for the M-Braves, Dodd has a 3.86 ERA with eight walks to 29 strikeouts over 25 2/3 innings. He is currently ranked as Atlanta’s No. 19 prospect.

The games's lone run came on an RBI double down the right field line from Bryce Ball in the second inning.

The M-Braves pitching staff performed well.

RHP Kyle Wilcox tossed a scoreless sixth inning. The right-hander has yet to give up a run in four outings, covering four innings, for the M-Braves.

RHP Jason Creasy followed with two shutout innings.

After scoring 16 runs last night, the M-Braves struggled to get the offense going.

The M-Braves mustered just three hits. Jordan Cowan singled up the middle in fifth. Drew Lugbauer smacked his 20th double of the season off the glove of the first baseman and down the right field line in the seventh.

Lugbauer leads the league with 23 home runs and is tied for fourth with 60 RBI.

Cody Milligan led off the ninth with a bloop double that bounced off the glove of the diving centerfielder, but RHP Hunter Bigge retired the next three batters to close out Tennessee’s 1-0 win.

The series finale is on Sunday at Smokies Stadium. A pitcher to be named will make the start for Mississippi against LHP Jordan Wicks (0-2, 3.94) for Tennessee. The first pitch is at 1:15 pm CT, with coverage starting at 1:00 pm CT on 103.9 WYAB, First Pitch App and MiLB.tv.