Ahrens' home run cooks Biscuits

PEARL, MS -- After KD Kang drove in the tying run, Kevin Ahrens blasted a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth to send the Mississippi Braves to a 7-4 victory over the Montgomery Biscuits Thursday at Trustmark Park. Following a 10-game road trip, the Braves return to home Tuesday, August 18 for a five-game series against the Birmingham Barons.

                     

With a 3-1 lead, Lucas Sims took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before giving up a lead-off single to Patrick Leonard. Cameron Seitzer also singled before Sims exited the game with one out. Andrew Barbosa then came on in relief and Jake Bauers blasted a three-run homer, giving the Biscuits a 4-3 lead.

 

Levi Hyams led off the bottom of the eighth with a single to right. He moved to second on a sacrifice and scored the tying run on Kang's base hit to center. Rio Ruiz then singled before Ahren's blasted the game-deciding homer to center field-his fifth long ball of the season.

 

Mississippi (23-17, 56-52) scored seven runs on 11 hits while Montgomery (21-18, 55-52) scored four runs on just five hits. Ahrens and Hyams accounted for five the Braves' seven runs. Andrew Barbosa (4-1) picked up the win, working 2.2 innings in relief. Tyler Jones (S, 12) came on in the ninth to close the game.

 

The scoring started early when the Biscuits took a 1-0 lead in the second. Dayron Varona was hit by a pitch. Daniel Robertson and Johnny Field, Jr., both drew walks to load the bases with one out. Varona later scored on a wild pitch from Sims.

 

Emerson Landoni and Hyams led off the fourth inning with base hits, putting runners at the corners. A wild pitch allowed Landoni to score from third, tying the game at 1-1.

 

The Braves loaded the bases in the fifth. Sean Godfrey singled with one out before Steve Rodriguez and Landoni walked to load the bases. Hyams then delivered a two-run single to center field, putting the Braves out front 3-1.

 

The game then shifted a couple of times with big three-run homers from both teams.

 

Sims started and worked 5.1 innings for the Braves, giving up three earned runs on just two hits and four walks. He struck out eight batters but did not factor in the decision.

 

Jaime Schultz started and worked five innings for Montgomery. He gave up three earned runs on five hits and two walks while fanning seven batters. Kyle McPherson (0-1) took the loss.

 

The M-Braves start a 10-game road trip with a five-game series at Biloxi Friday night. In game one, Braves right-hander Greg Ross (5-9, 4.42) counters Shuckers righty Jorge Lopez (10-4, 2.52). First pitch is slated for 7:10 PM.

 

Montgomery Biscuits (21-18, 55-52): 4 R       5 H    1 E

Mississippi Braves (23-17, 56-52):      7 R       11 H    0 E

 

W: Andrew Barbosa (4-1)

L: Kyle McPherson (0-1)

S: Tyler Jones (12)

 

Time: 2:43

Attendance: 2,616