Long balls sink M-Braves in series finale

PEARL, MS -- The Montgomery Biscuits used two solo homers to sink the Mississippi Braves 2-1 in the series finale at Trustmark Park Saturday evening. The Braves now travel to Mobile to play an extremely important five-game series with the BayBears Sunday through Thursday.

 

The M-Braves threated in the ninth but the rally fell short. Daniel Castro led off with a base hit to right field. Braeden Schlehuber followed with a double to left, but the left fielder bobbled the ball and allowed Castro to score from third-making it a one-run game. Kyle Wren then laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Schlehuber to third. However, a ground out and a fly out ended the game.

 

Mississippi (32-23, 71-53) plated one run on nine hits while Montgomery (24-31, 59-66) scored two runs on just five hits. The Biscuits also committed three errors. For Mississippi, Castro and Schlehuber both collected two-hit nights at the plate. Justin O'Conner was the only Biscuits to record a multi-hit game.

 

Mitch Atkins (5-1) struck out 10 Biscuits but suffered his first loss of the season. He gave up one earned run (a homer) on just four hits and a walk. Ryne Harper worked the final two frames, giving up a homer while fanning three.

 

Victor Mateo (11-9) held the Braves to seven hits and five walks while striking out one in seven innings pitched. Matt Lollis came on in the ninth but gave up a run and the Biscuits were forced to turn to Braulio Lara (S, 3). Lara recorded the final out to save the game for Montgomery.

 

Mississippi threated a couple of times early in the game, loading the bases in the third and fifth innings but they could not plate a run.

 

The M-Braves and Biscuits entered the seventh inning still scoreless. Richie Shaffer then blasted a solo home run into the Braves bullpen to give Montgomery a 1-0 lead. It was Shaffer's 14th long ball of the season.

 

Jeff Malm launched a solo shot in the eighth to extend the Biscuits lead to 2-0.

 

The M-Braves travel to Mobile for a crucial five-game series against the BayBears. In game one, M-Braves right-hander Jason Hursh (11-6, 3.27) takes the hill. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 PM.

 

Montgomery Biscuits (24-31, 59-66): 2 R       5 H    3 E

Mississippi Braves (32-23, 71-53):      1 R       9 H    0 E

 

W: Victor Mateo (11-9)

L: Mitch Atkins (5-1)

S: Braulio Lara (3)

 

Time: 2:34

Attendance: 4,229