Mobile's six-run sixth inning dooms M-Braves on Thursday

PEARL, MS - The Mobile BayBears (3-4) scored six runs in the top of the fifth inning and pulled away for a 7-5 victory over the Mississippi Braves (2-4) on Thursday night at Trustmark Park. The M-Braves scored five runs in Wednesday nights fifth inning and plated four runs during the third inning on Thursday night in a losing effort. 

Ian Anderson , the Atlanta Braves No. 3 ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, made his 2019 home debut on Thursday night and took another no-decision. Anderson dealt two scoreless innings before giving up an unearned run in the third. 

The M-Braves bats came alive in the bottom of the third inning against Mobile starter Jeremy Beasley. After a Carlos Martínez  leadoff walk, Connor Lien  singled to put two runners on base. M-Braves leadoff hitter Drew Waters found a hole on the right side of the infield and singled home Martinez to tie the game at 1-1. The hit was Waters' Southern League-leading ninth on the season. Cristian Pache followed with a two-run triple, his second on the year, and scored after he was interfered with by Mobile third baseman Roberto Baldoquin. Pache is tied for the league lead with seven RBI's and five extra-base hits. The Braves had a 4-1 lead after three innings. 

Anderson recorded the first out in the top of the fifth, but surrendered a pair of singles and reached his pitch limit. Mike Mader (L, 0-2) took over for Anderson and subsequently gave up back-to-back RBI singles and a three-run homer to Jhoan Urena to put Mobile up 6-4. Zach Houchins singled in their sixth run of the inning two batters later and it was 7-4. Anderson ended up surrendering three runs, two earned, on three hits over 4.1 innings with two walks and three strikeouts. He threw 81 pitches. 

The Braves were gifted a run in the eighth inning when Dario Beltre (S, 1) walked Daniel Lockhart  and Carlos Martinez then threw a pair of wild pitches letting Lockhart score. 

Mobile reliever Zack Kelly tossed 4.0 innings of scoreless relief to earn his first victory. Mississippi relievers Jason Hursh , Ben Rowen , and Jordan Harrison  recorded scoreless innings over the final three frames. 

With the series now even at 1-1, the M-Braves and BayBears will play the middle game of the five-game set on Friday night at Trustmark Park. LHP Kyle Muller  makes the start for the Braves against RHP Matt Ball for Mobile. First pitch is set for 6:35 pm with coverage beginning at 6:20 pm on 103.9 WYAB and the TuneIn Radio app. 

Friday's Promotions: 
• Fan Friday Giveaway - Magnetic Schedule - The first 2,000 fans on Friday will receive a 2019 Mississippi Braves magnetic schedule! 
• Trustmark $10K Dash For Cash - $10K in cash will be spread out in the outfield and 10 lucky fans will have 1 minute to collect as much cash as possible, presented by Trustmark. 
• Kids Run The Bases - After each Friday and Sunday home game, kids 14-and-under are invited to come run the bases like the pro's after the game!
• We Made Fist Bump Friday A Thing - As part of our Fan Friday promotion, every fan coming through the gates will receive a FREE FIST BUMP from an M-Braves representative.

For tickets visit mississippibraves.com/tickets or call 888-BRAVES4!