Smokies take Friday's opener 3-0, second game pushed to a Saturday doubleheader

PEARL, MS (September 6, 2024) — The Mississippi Braves waited out a 2 hour, 33-minute rain delay before Friday night's doubleheader got underway, and the Smokies dealt their second-straight shutout to the M-Braves 3-0 in game one. Game two was postponed due to the start time being after 10:00 pm.

The postponement sets up a Saturday doubleheader at Trustmark Park starting at 5:05 pm. Saturday's doubleheader will feature two seven-inning games. The second game will begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first contest. Gates will open at 4:00 pm.

The Smokies (41-19, 81-47) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a Reivaj Garcia sacrifice fly. Casey Opitz doubled to start the fourth inning, and Fabian Pertuz added a single, scoring two more runs for the Smokies to grab a 3-0 lead.

Ian Mejia (L, 7-7) suffered the loss, allowing three runs on five hits over 4.0 innings, walking four and striking out three. The M-Braves bullpen stayed reliable, with Patrick Halligan and Elison Joseph stretching their scoreless innings streak to eight games each. Trey Riley added a scoreless frame as well.

Cal Conley was 2-for-3 with a double, extending his hitting streak to eight games. Yolbert Sanchez added a 2-for-3 night at the plate, his 13th multi-hit game over his last 21.

Saturday's doubleheader between the Smokies and M-Braves will be games four and five of the six-game series. The first game will begin at 5:05 pm with coverage starting at 4:50 pm on 102.1 The Box, Bally Live, and MiLB.tv.

Saturday's Promotions:

• Post-Game Fireworks: Stay after the game for the final Post-Game Fireworks Show in Mississippi Braves history, presented by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
• Free Bounce House Access: Fun Zone Bounce House Access is FREE!

The historic final homestand concludes on Sunday, September 8, and the first 1,000 fans will get a Mississippi Braves Collectors Coin commemorating the Farewell Season of Mississippi Braves baseball. Before the final home game, fans can come onto the field and take photos with M-Braves players and coaches. Fans can purchase tickets by visiting mississippibraves.com or calling the box office at 888-BRAVES4 to book their group. For tickets, fans can visit mississippibraves.com or click HERE.