M-Braves defeat Mobile, extend South Division lead
Braves now lead division by three games over Mobile
PEARL, MS -- The Mississippi Braves plated three runs in the first inning and held on to defeat the Mobile BayBears 3-2 at Trustmark Park Sunday afternoon. With the win, the Braves take the series and extend its South Division lead to three games over the BayBears with 27 games remaining in the season.
Mississippi (27-16, 61-51) scored three runs on 14 hits while Mobile (24-19, 56-57) plated two runs on eight hits. Joseph Odom led the Braves with a 3-for-4 night at the plate. Connor Lien and Carlos Franco each added two hits.
The M-Braves jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first. Ozzie Albies singled and stole second. Lien followed with a base hit, putting runners at the corners. Albies was later caught stealing home before Dustin Peterson walked and Franco delivered a two-run double. Jacob Schrader added a RBI-single to plate the third run.
Evan Marzilli walked and stole second to start the BayBears' sxith. Domingo Leyba drew a one-out walk and a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. Travis Denker then delivered a sacrifice fly to right field, plating Marzilli and cutting the Braves lead to 3-1.
Mobile made it a one-run game in the ninth thanks to Leyba's RBI-single to center field. The Braves then managed a ground out, ending the game and stranding a BayBear at second base.
Wes Parsons started for the Braves and worked four frames. He held the BayBears to one hit and two walks while fanning two batters but was not eligible for the win. Caleb Dirks (1-0) worked two innings in relief and picked up the win. David Peterson (S, 5) recorded the final four outs to notch the save.
Edgar Garcia (3-3) gave up three earned runs on 10 hits and two walks. He struck out five in five innings pitched for Mobile and took the loss.
The M-Braves send right-hander Lucas Sims (3-3, 2.10) to the hill in game four of this five-game series. He'll counter BayBears righty Vicente Campos (1-0, 0.00). First pitch is slated for 7:00 PM. Gates open at 6:00 PM.
Mobile (24-19, 56-57): 2 R 8 H 1 E
Mississippi (27-16, 61-51): 3 R 14 H 1 E
W: Caleb Dirks (1-0)
L: Edgar Garcia (3-3)
S: David Peterson (5)
Time: 3:00
Attendance: 1,535