M-Braves Fall 90 Feet Short of Comeback in Pensacola

Pensacola, FL - The Pensacola Blue Wahoos scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth and just barely held off a Mississippi Braves rally in the ninth to take Wednesday night's series finale and rubber match by a 3-2 final at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

With the Braves (17-23) trailing 3-1, Carlos Franco started the ninth with an infield hit off closer Alejandro Chacin (S, 7). Jacob Schrader took his place with a fielder's choice force at second, and Jordy Lara singled to put two on. Johan Camargo lined one into right field for an RBI single to make it 3-2.

Pinch-hitter Levi Hyams walked to load the bases with one out, but Chacin got Matt Lipka to pop out to first, and Dansby Swanson flied out to right to strand the bases loaded.

Jason Hursh (0-2), who blew a save and took the loss, allowed three in the bottom of the eighth to erase a 1-0 Braves lead. The Blue Wahoos (24-16) got four straight base runners with two out. Alex Blandino walked, and Phillip Ervin doubled to put men at second and third. Blandino scored on a wild pitch to tie the game 1-1.

Kyle Parker hit a flare to right that dropped in front of Lara, and he hustled to second for an RBI double to make it 2-1 Wahoos. Brandon Dixon singled to right to plate Parker for a 3-1 lead.

The Braves got a great start from Brandon Barker, who fired six shutout frames on three hits in the no-decision, striking out a season-high eight and walking two.

Mississippi scored first in the sixth inning off Wahoos starter Amir Garrett, who walked three Braves in the inning and threw a wild pitch to plate Swanson for a 1-0 lead.

Garrett finished with a run allowed on four hits over six innings, striking out six and walking three.

The Braves continue the ten-game road trip with five at the Mobile BayBears starting Thursday night at 6:35 PM CT. Right-hander Andrew Thurman (0-3, 5.72) gets the nod in the series opener for the Braves.

Mississippi Braves (17-23)                           2 R          8 H         0 E
Pensacola Blue Wahoos (24-16)                 3 R          6 H         0 E

W - Muhammad (2-0)
L - Hursh (0-2)
S - Chacin (7)
Time: 2:40
Attendance: 3,473