M-Braves defeat Lookouts, win sixth straight

PEARL, MS -- The Mississippi Braves plated three runs in the seventh to defeat the Chattanooga Lookouts 5-2 at Trustmark Park Thursday evening. With the win, the Braves have now won six straight games and continue to lead the South Division. The series finale is slated for Friday at 7:00 PM.

 

Mississippi (9-4) scored five runs on eight hits. Chattanooga (6-7) plated two runs on six hits. Daniel Castro and David Rohm both collected multi-hit games. Corban Joseph drove in two runs in the game.

 

The Braves and Lookouts were scoreless through the first three frames. Mississippi took a 2-0 lead in the fourth. Kevin Ahrens walked and Chris O'Dowd doubled to get things started. Joseph then delivered a two-run single to shallow right, putting the M-Braves out front.

 

Chattanooga got one run back in the sixth. Levi Michael singled and stole second. DJ Hicks then singled to drive home Michael and cut the M-Braves lead to 2-1.

 

Mike Gonzales blasted a solo home run off the Farm Bureau Grill in right field to start the top of the seventh and tie the game at 2-2.

 

In the bottom of the seventh, Matt Lipka led off with a single to center field. He took second on a sacrifice bunt before coming in to score on a Castro base hit to right field. Rio Ruiz and Ahrens drew walks to load the bases with one out. Seth Loman followed with a sacrifice fly to right and then Rohm singled up the middle to make it a 5-2 game.

 

Neither starter factored in the decision. Greg Ross gave up just one earned run on five hits while fanning three batters in six innings of work for the M-Braves. Greg Peavey tossed 5.2 innings for the Lookouts, giving up two earned runs on five hits and four walks. He struck out four.

 

Andrew Waszak (1-0) worked one inning and picked up the win. He gave up the solo homer and struck out one batter. Cole Johnson (1-1) gave up three earned runs on three hits and two walks, suffering the loss. Andrew Robinson (S, 2) struck out the side in the ninth to notch his first save of the season.

 

In Friday evening's series finale, the M-Braves send right-hander Ryan Weber (0-0, 1.04) to the hill. The Lookouts will counter with righty DJ Baxendale (2-0, 0.00). First pitch is slated for 7:00 PM. Gates open at 6:00 PM.

 

Chattanooga Lookouts (6-7): 2 R       6 H    0 E

Mississippi Braves (9-4): 5 R       8 H    0 E

 

W: Andrew Waszak (1-0)

L: Cole Johnson (1-1)

S: Andrew Robinson (2)

 

Time: 2:41

Attendance: 2,735