Mississippi Runs Away Early to Salvage Final Game over BayBears

PEARL, Miss. - Three runs in the second and five in the third were plenty for the Mississippi Braves on Sunday night at Trustmark Park as they ripped the BayBears, 9-0, in the finale of their six-game series.

Southpaw Pat McAnaney (3-6) didn't fare well as he only lasted 2.1 innings while pitching against the M-Braves (32-42, 2-4) for the second time in the series. In the bottom of the second, McAnaney was touched for three runs with Alejandro Machado smacking a double to score Concepcion Rodriguez, putting Mississippi on the board.

Two batters later, Machado was sent to the plate on a two-out single by Michael Daniel. After a walk to Willie Cabrera, Daniel scored on a base hit by Eric Duncan.

Mississippi extended their advantage in the third with Donell Linares singling and scoring on a knock by Rodriguez. Jesus Sucre also picked up a single and was driven to the dish on another two-bagger from Machado. Daniel singled in Rodriguez to make it 6-0 which chased McAnaney from the contest. Bryan Henry entered and coughed up a two-run double to Cabrera, pushing it to 8-0.

Scott Diamond (3-5) was far from sharp but didn't need to be with the big lead. He walked five and didn't strike out anyone in six innings while allowing six hits. He did induce four double plays in the contest which kept the BayBears (40-34, 4-2) from ever putting a rally together as they had their lead-off man reach base in six of the ninth frames.

The BayBears' bullpen was solid for the most part as Jeff Dietz was the only reliever to give up a run when Mauro Gomez scored on an error by Jake Elmore. Henry went 2.2 innings without being scored upon. Josh Ellis and Leyson Septimo each picked up a scoreless frame.

The BayBears are back home on Monday night to host the Montgomery Biscuits at 7:05 p.m. with Independence Weekend Fireworks on tap for Friday, July 2 and Saturday, July 3 at Hank Aaron Stadium. For tickets, which start at $5 for kids and $7 for adults, call (251) 479-BEAR or log on to www.mobilebaybears.com. For more information on the Hank Aaron Childhood Home & Museum, please visit www.hankaaronstadium.com.