Mississippi Splits Doubleheader with Pensacola

PEARL, MS - The Mississippi Braves (27-38) split Tuesday night's doubleheader against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (27-36). The M-Braves fell to the Blue Wahoos in game one by a final score of 2-1 but bounced back, and captured a 5-0 victory in game two.
Game one of Tuesday's doubleheader was originally scheduled to be played at 7:00 p.m. (CST) on Monday night but was postponed due to rain. Each game of the doubleheader was played as a seven- inning contest.

Runs were scarce in game one. Pensacola's Taylor Sparks gave his team a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning after he homered on a solo shot to left field.
Mississippi's Alex Jackson tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning by smacking a solo home run well over the left field wall. Jackson's home run in the bottom of the fifth inning was his fourth home run of the season.
Pensacola regained the lead in the top of the sixth inning when Narciso Crook delivered a RBI single to right field which allowed Daniel Sweet to score, making the score 2-1 in favor of the Blue Wahoos.
Pensacola would go on to win game one by a final score of 2-1. Pensacola starter, Vladimir Gutierrez (3-8, 5.86) earned the win and Mississippi starter, Andres Santiago (3-2, 4.03) suffered the loss. Pensacola reliever, Alejandro Chacin was credited with the save, his third of the 2018 season.
The M-Braves turned things around in game two. M-Braves starting pitcher, Michael Mader helped his cause as he produced the game's first run by drawing a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the second inning, allowing Luis Valenzuela to score from third base.
The M-Braves extended their lead 5-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning courtesy of a grand slam from the bat of catcher, Carlos Martínez. Connor Lien, Luis Marté and Daniel Lockhart all scored on the grand slam from Martinez.
The Blue Wahoos plated their first run of the game in the top of the sixth inning after Crook singled on a ground ball to center field allowing C.J. McElroy to score.
The M-Braves won game two by a final score of 5-1. Mader (2-2, 3.26) earned the win after allowing six hits, one run, which was earned, and striking out four in 6.0 innings pitched. Blue Wahoos starter, Wyatt Strahan (5-5, 6.55) suffered the loss.
The M-Braves will not pack their bags and travel south to Biloxi, MS where they will take on their in-state rival, the Biloxi Shuckers in a five-game road series at MGM Park. Game one of the five-game series will begin tomorrow night (Wednesday, June 13) at 6:35 p.m. (CST). RHP Kyle Wright (3-7, 4.71) is scheduled to start the game for the M-Braves on Wednesday night. Wright is currently ranked as the No. 2 overall prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization and the No. 25 overall prospect in all of Minor League Baseball. Opposite of Wright on the mound will be Shuckers RHP Thomas Jankins (7-3, 4.95).