Five-run Ninth Gives Braves Fifth Straight Win

Mobile, AL- For the fourth consecutive game, the Mississippi Braves trailed entering the ninth inning only to come back and win.  A five-run final frame negated a two-run deficit and the Braves took down the Mobile BayBears in Saturday night's series opener 8-5 at Hank Aaron Stadium.

With Mississippi (8-8) trailing 5-3 since the third inning, Christian Marrero singled and Barrett Kleinknecht was hit by a pitch as the first two batters of the ninth.  Jose Martinez then moved them into scoring position with a groundout, setting up Jaime Pedroza's two-run game-tying single with one out.

For BayBears (8-8) closer Eric Smith, it was his first blown save of the season, but for Braves' opponents it was the fourth consecutive game with a ninth-inning blown save.

And the Braves weren't done.  Mycal Jones doubled down the third base line, plating Pedroza for the go-ahead run.  Then after an intentional walk of Dan Brewer, Braves closer Ryne Harper doubled in his first professional plate appearance, scoring two to cap off the five-run inning.

Harper earned the win, his first of the year.  Smith took the loss, his second of the season, both coming against the Braves.

The ninth inning was just the exclamation point on the end of a wild game.  The BayBears and Braves scored eight total runs and made four errors in the first three innings.  It was a back-and-forth affair, and the BayBears took a 5-3 lead in the third on a three-run home run by Nick Evans off of starter Aaron Northcraft.

Northcraft finished his day after four innings, allowing five runs, three earned, on four hits.  The no decision makes 16 straight games to start the season without a win by a Braves starter.  All eight wins have come in relief this season.

Michael Bolsinger went 4.2 innings, allowing six hits on three runs, one earned, with six strikeouts and two walks in the no-decision for Mobile.

The injury bug also bit the Braves, as both Christian Bethancourt and Kyle Russell left the game.  Bethancourt doubled in the third but was gripping his hamstring as he pulled up at second.  Russell singled in the fifth and stole second, but on the slide he injured his shoulder.  Both were removed from the game.

The Braves put their five-game win streak on the line on Sunday afternoon at 2:05 PM CT for game two of the five-game series with Mobile.  Right-hander JR Graham (0-1, 4.09 ERA) squares off against left-hander David Holmberg (0-1, 2.25).  Listen live to Kyle Tait on the call beginning at 1:30 with the "Countdown to First Pitch" on 103.9 WYAB and online at MississippiBraves.com.

 

Mississippi Braves (8-8)    8 R       13 H       2 E

Mobile BayBears (8-8)      5 R         5 H       3 E

W - Harper (1-0)

L - Smith (0-2)

Time - 3:09

Attendance - 4,063