BayBears sweep twin bill with walk-off home run in game two

MOBILE, Ala. (April 27, 2019) - The Mobile BayBears, the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, defeated the Mississippi Braves 8-3 in the first game and 4-3 on a Connor Justus walk-off home run in game two of Saturday's doubleheader at Hank Aaron Stadium.
GAME ONE:
After falling behind 3-0 in the second inning, the BayBears stormed back with eight unanswered runs. Mobile used a six-run fourth inning to take the lead and pull away from Mississippi.
Roberto Baldoquin and Erick Salcedo both had two RBI singles off Joey Wentz (0-1) to drive in four of the first five BayBears runs. Baldoquin and Salcedo also scored in the fourth on a Jahmai Jones sacrifice fly and a Jhoan Urena single, respectively. It was the BayBears third six-run inning this season and the second against Mississippi.
Zac Ryan (2-2) tossed 2 1/3 scoreless, hitless innings of relief to earn the win. Ryan retired all seven batters he faced.
Drew Waters hit a leadoff home run for Mississippi and scored two of the three Braves runs.
GAME TWO:
Connor Justus hit his first Double-A home run with two strikes and two outs in the bottom of the seventh to lift the BayBears (10-12) over Mississippi.
Trailing 3-2 in the final frame, Brendon Sanger kept the game alive with a two-out, two-strike single to left field. Brandon Sandoval entered as a pinch-runner, and Justus followed with a two-run shot to left off Huascar Ynoa (0-2). It was the first walk-off home run for the BayBears since Michael Hermosillo 's on July 6, 2017, coincidentally also against Mississippi.
Joe Gatto (3-0) earned his third win with two scoreless innings of relief. Gatto has allowed just one earned run in 12 2/3 innings coming out of the bullpen.
Mississippi (9-12) held the lead from the first inning until the Justus home run. The Braves scored first for the third straight game, grabbing an early two-run edge on a Ryan Casteel RBI single and a Daniel Lockhart RBI double. Jose Rodriguez settled down and did not allow another run for the remainder of his four-inning start, and he struck out seven batters.
The BayBears continue the five-game series against Mississippi Sunday at 2:05 p.m. Right-handed pitcher Luis Madero (0-0, -.--ERA) is scheduled to make his Double-A debut against righty Ian Anderson (0-1, 4.76 ERA) for the Braves. Live coverage can be seen on MiLB.tv (subscription required, promo code: BAYBEARS) and heard on MobileBayBears.com, the TuneIn app, and the MiLB First Pitch app., with the Countdown to First Pitch starting at 1:45 p.m.
The BayBears host a total of 70 home dates through Labor Day, September 2. The new BayBears Pass is available, featuring a general admission ticket to every BayBears game at Hank Aaron Stadium for only $19.97 per month. Season ticket packages and partial plans are also available, featuring a 7-game plan and a 12-game option to guarantee bobbleheads and receive tickets to select fireworks nights. Individual game tickets can be purchased online at MobileBayBears.com or by calling 251-572-BEAR (2327).
About the Mobile BayBears
The Mobile BayBears are the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels and play their games at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. The BayBears were founded in 1997 and have won four Southern League titles in 1998, 2004, 2011, and 2012. Additionally, the 1998 and 2011 championship squads were named Minor League Team of the Year by Baseball America. More than 175 former BayBears have reached the Major League level, including All-Stars Max Scherzer, Paul Goldschmidt, Jake Peavy, Carlos González, and Justin Upton. For more information on the Mobile BayBears and Hank Aaron Stadium, please visit MobileBayBears.com, call (251) 572-BEAR (2327), or contact Steve Goldberg via email at [email protected].
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