Wentz, M-Braves shut out Jumbo Shrimp to open homestand

PEARL, MS - The Mississippi Braves (21-23) continued their dominance of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (16-30) on Wednesday night in a 7-0 shutout to open a festive five-game homestand at Trustmark Park. The M-Braves improved to 6-0 against the Marlins affiliate this season, including four shutouts. 

Joey Wentz  (W, 2-3) took a perfect game into the seventh inning against Jacksonville on May 2 and settled for 7.0 shutout innings on one hit. Wentz delivered 7.0 more shutout innings against the crustaceans on Wednesday, walking none and striking out five. The No. 11 overall prospect for the Atlanta Braves retired 20 of the final 22 batters to end the game and overall faced just two over the minimum. The 95-pitch quality start was his fourth in nine starts this season and second in a row. 

Riley Unroe  got the scoring started in the third inning with a two-out RBI single, scoring Carlos Martínez  and Wentz. Martinez started the frame with a single and Wentz reached base safely for the first time in his career on a walk. 

The M-Braves stretched the lead to 3-0 in the third inning. Luis Valenzuela  led off with a triple and scored on a one-out single by Daniel Lockhart . 

Valenzuela was back at it again the fifth inning, doubling home Cristian Pache  and Ryan Casteel  with two outs to extend the lead to 5-0. Valenzuela was 2-for-4 on Wednesday and is 9-for-18 with two doubles, two triples, and four RBI over his last six games. 

Mississippi saddled Jacksonville starter Jorge Guzman (L, 1-5) with five runs over 5.0 innings and the loss. The Braves welcomed reliever McKenzie Mills to the game with three straight singles in the sixth, the last a run-scoring knock by Martinez. Drew Waters  hit a sacrifice fly scoring Lockhart and it was 7-0.

Wentz needed only five pitches to cap his second scoreless outing of seven innings against Jacksonville this month. It was the fifth time in his career that the Leawood, Kansas native has gone at least seven frames.

Casteel's 10-game hitting streak went down to his final at-bat, but the 26-year-old came through with a single in the bottom of the seventh inning. The 11-game hitting streak is the longest active streak in the Southern League and longest by an M-Brave this season. 

Jason Hursh  tossed a scoreless eighth inning and Jordan Harrison  struck out two over a 1-2-3 ninth to seal the victory. Wednesday's shutout marked the sixth dealt by the M-Braves this season and league-leading 14th received by Jacksonville. 

The M-Braves and Jumbo Shrimp play game two of the five-game series on Thursday night at Trustmark Park. LHP Tucker Davison (1-2, 1.65) takes the hill for the M-Braves against RHP Cody Poteet (2-3, 2.93) for Jacksonville. First pitch is set for 6:35 pm with coverage beginning at 6:20 pm on 103.9 WYAB, TuneIn Radio, MiLB First Pitch app. and MiLB.TV (subscription required). 

Thursday's Promotions:

• Thirsty Thursday - Enjoy 16 oz domestic beer and 16 oz fountain drinks for just $2 each!
• M-Braves Cornhole Tournaments - Join us on Thursday's this season for M-Braves Cornhole Tournaments presented by Central MS Cornhole & Good Times! Every Thirsty Thursday at Trustmark Park we'll have competitive tournaments outside the Farm Bureau Grill on the right-field concourse starting at 6:00 pm. Great cash & prizes to winners! $5 entry per player.
• Teacher Appreciation Night 2.0 - Celebrate summer vacation. All teachers receive $2 admission for up to 4 guests with badge/ID! Enjoy $2 domestic beers, $2 16 oz soft drinks and $4 wine.