Wahoos snap M-Braves winning streak despite Alexander's fifth homer

Riley Unroe and Drew Lugbauer had multi-hit nights in the 4-3 loss

(Daniel Venn (Pensacola Blue Wahoos))

By Chris Harris

June 1, 2021

PENSACOLA, FL - The Mississippi Braves saw their four-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday night, 4-3, in Pensacola in game one of the six-game road series. The Braves threatened in the ninth inning, but a controversial batter interference call and close caught stealing at second base of Riley Unroe to

PENSACOLA, FL - The Mississippi Braves saw their four-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday night, 4-3, in Pensacola in game one of the six-game road series.

The Braves threatened in the ninth inning, but a controversial batter interference call and close caught stealing at second base of Riley Unroe to end the game.

After falling behind in the second inning, C.J. Alexander took back over the top spot on the team in homers in the third inning and tied the game at 1-1 with a solo shot to left field off of Wahoos starter Jake Eder. The 24-year-old from Cape Coral, FL, is now tied for fourth in the league in homers. The home was the first allowed by Eder through his first five pro starts. Eder also dealt his shortest outing of the season on Tuesday night, just 4.2 innings.

Pensacola went back in front when Lorenzo Hampton hit a solo home run against Braves starter Nolan Kingham to start the bottom of the fourth inning. In his fifth start, Kingham battled through 4.2 innings of two-run baseball, scattering eight hits while walking one and striking out two.

The Braves went ahead for the first time against the Wahoos bullpen in the seventh inning. Drew Lugbauer singled for the second time to open the frame against Jose Mesa Jr. With one out, Jefrey Ramos reached on an error, and then Wendell Rijo singled to load the bases. Justin Dean followed with a ground ball to Demetrius Sims, the Pensacola shortstop who got the force at second base, but a high throw allowed two runs to score. The Braves led 3-2.

Pensacola didn't let the deficit last long as former Ole Miss catcher Nick Fortes singled in former Vanderbilt star J.J. Bleday to tie the game at 3-3. The Wahoos took advantage of two Brooks Wilson (L, 0-1) walks in the eighth, and Devin Hairston singled in Sims to put the Marlins affiliate up 4-3.

Lugbauer collected his team-leading sixth multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with a run scored. Unroe was was 2-for-4 as well.

The M-Braves and Blue Wahoos will play game two of the six-game series on Wednesday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium. LHP Hayden Deal (0-2, 4.24) starts for the Braves against LHP Brandon Leibrandt (0-2, 7.31). The first pitch is set for 6:35 pm, and fans can listen live to the action on 103.9 WYAB.

The M-Braves will return to Trustmark Park on June 15 to begin a 12-game homestand against the Birmingham Barons and Tennessee Smokies. The homestand will feature two great giveaways. On Friday, June 18, the first 1,000 fans will get a Mississippi Braves beach towel, showcasing a panoramic photo of Trustmark Park, presented by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi. The first 1,500 fans on Friday, June 25, will get a Freddie Freeman replica jersey presented by Morgan & Morgan!

For tickets or more information about the M-Braves, visit mississippibraves.com or call 888-BRAVES4.