Harris' two-run homer backs Kingham in 2-0 shutout of Barons

PEARL, MS - Trey Harris  (2) blasted a two-run home run in the sixth inning, and Nolan Kingham  (W, 1-1) tossed 7.0 three-hit innings for his first Double-A win in the Mississippi Braves' (25-28, 58-64) 2-0 shutout of the Birmingham Barons (27-24-54-66) at Trustmark Park. The 15th shutout of 2019 for Mississippi evened the series at 2-2 and forced the rubber match of the series on Saturday. 
 

Kingham made his third Double-A start on Friday night, and the Braves' 12th round pick in 2018 needed just 27 pitches to deliver 3.0 perfect innings. Birmingham's Blake Battenfield (L, 5-5) matched Kingham through the first two innings but gave up the first hit of the game with two outs in the bottom of the third on a single from Riley Unroe . 

Kingham needed 27 more pitches to get through the fourth inning unscathed after walking two batters, but striking out two and stranding the pair on base. The Texas product's toughest inning came in the sixth after giving up a double to Luis Gonzelez to start the frame. After a sacrifice bunt moved the runner to third base, Kingham struck out the three and four hitters in Birmingham's lineup, Blake Rutherford, and Gavin Sheets to slam the door on the inning. 

In total, Kingham allowed just three hits over 7.0 shutout innings, walking two and striking out eight. Kingham and last night's starter Phil Pfeifer have combined for 15 innings of one-run baseball with 18 strikeouts and two walks. The M-Braves pitching staff leads the Southern League with a 3.13 ERA this season and 2.29 ERA through 14 games in August. 

Braden Shewmake became the first 2019 draft pick to make his Double-A debut on Friday night, and the 21-year-old first-rounder (21st overall) went 1-for-4 and scored a run on Harris' two-run shot in the sixth inning. Shewmake was batting .318 with 23 extra-base hits in 51 games for the Low-A Rome Braves. Harris' second home run this past week gave the Braves a 2-0 lead. The Powder Springs, Georgia native has hit in 13 of his last 15 games and is batting .348 over 12 games in August. 

Josh Graham  (H, 3) needed just ten pitches to work a 1-2-3 eighth inning to secure his third hold, and Jason Creasy  (S, 6-for-7) notched his sixth save with a scoreless ninth inning. 

The rubber match of the five-game set and final meeting between the M-Braves and Barons this season is on Saturday night at Trustmark Park. RHP Claudio Custodio  (4-3, 2.22) starts for Mississippi against LHP Tanner Banks (1-7, 5.14) for Birmingham. First pitch is set for 6:05 pm with coverage beginning at 5:50 pm on 103.9 WYAB, TuneIn Radio, First Pitch App. and MiLB.tv (subscription required). 

Saturday's Promotions:
Post-Game Fireworks Extravaganza - A Princess Themed Post-Game Fireworks Extravaganza will light up the sky above Trustmark Park
Princess Night - Dress as your favorite Princess on a special Daddy/Daughter Date Night. The night will begin with a Princess Parade around the warning track and include a special appearance from Anna and Elsa!
Pediatric Cancer Awareness Night - Players will wear special jerseys, available via silent auction, featuring the name of a local youth fighting cancer. In partnership with Gold Glove Charities and Children's of Mississippi.