M-Braves Take Down BayBears 7-3 in Series Opener

PEARL, MS - The Mississippi Braves (16-14, 45-55) took down the Mobile BayBears (11-19, 48-50) 7-3 in the series opener at Trustmark Park on Monday night. Atlanta Braves LHP Max Fried dazzled in his MLB rehab start with the M-Braves by tossing a one-hitter. In 6.2 IP, Fried threw 86 pitches with 61 pitches being strikes, allowed 1 H, issued one walk and struck out 10 without allowing a run. Travis Demeritte who was named the Mississippi Farm Bureau Player of the Week for the second time this season earlier in the day led the way for the M-Braves offense after going 2-for-4 at the plate with 2 2B, 1 R, and 2 RBI.
Demeritte got things going for the M-Braves early in the game by roping a sharp line drive RBI double to right field with two outs which allowed Daniel Lockhart to score, giving the M-Braves a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

Brandon Downes provided the M-Braves with their second run of the game in the bottom of the second inning after lacing a ground ball RBI single to right field, scoring Carlos Martínez.
The M-Braves offense wreaked havoc on the BayBears in the bottom of the fifth inning as they exploded for four additional runs. Alejandro Salazar who has proven to be one of the hottest hitters in the M-Braves lineup as of late kicked off the scoring in the bottom of the fifth inning with a line drive RBI single to right field. Ray-Patrick Didder scored on the double from Salazar. Two batters later, Daniel Lockhart capitalized on a wild pitch from Mobile starter, Jose Rodriguez and scored from third base.
With the M-Braves leading 4-0, Demeritte matched his first at-bat of the game by smashing another RBI double which allowed Tyler Neslony to score. Luis Valenzuela capped off the inning with a line drive RBI single to right field, scoring Demeritte to extend the M-Braves lead 6-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning.  
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Lockhart smacked his fifth home run of the season, a fly ball that traveled well beyond the right field wall, providing the M-Braves with a 7-0 lead.
Mobile showed life in the top of the seventh inning when Brandon Sandoval got the BayBears on the board after lining a RBI double into center field, allowing Zach Gibbons to score. Bo Way added a pair of runs to the scoreboard for the BayBears, making the score 7-3 when he sent a line drive RBI single to left field. Both Sherman Johnson and Brendon Sanger scored on the single by Way.
Philip Pfeifer who entered the game in the top of the seventh inning slammed the door on the BayBears offense to prevent any further damage. Pfeifer tossed 1.1 shutout innings of relief and did not allow a hit. The left-hander issued two walks and struck out one.
M-Braves starter, Fried (1-0, 0.00) earned the win after his masterful performance while Mobile starter, Jose Rodriguez (6-8, 5.50) suffered the loss. M-Braves reliever, Pfeifer was credited with a hold, his first with the M-Braves in 2018.
Leading 1-0 in the series, the M-Braves will return to Trustmark Park tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. (CST) as they host the BayBears in game two of the five-game series. LHP Michael Mader (2-2, 2.76) will get the start for the M-Braves in game two on Tuesday night. Opposite of Mader on the mound will be BayBears RHP Jason Alexander (0-4, 4.01.)  
Tuesday night's contest will feature the Two for Tuesday promotion presented by Polk's Meat Products and WJTV 12 Getting You Answers (fans can exchange a Polk's Meat Products label at the Trustmark Park Box Office for two tickets for the price of one. Excluding Suite Level and Club Level seats. All hot dogs and 16 oz. soft drinks will also be two for the price one.)
The Mississippi Braves are the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Since the inaugural 2005 season, over 125 M-Braves have gone on to Major League Baseball. The M-Braves have made postseason play four times and went on to win the Southern League Championship in 2008. Stop by Trustmark Park or call 888-BRAVES4 Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. For the latest news and updates, visit mississippibraves.com or connect with @mbraves on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.