PENSACOLA, FL --Bruce Zimmermann struck out 10 over 6.1 innings in his Double-A debut Friday night, but Pensacola (6-2, 36-40) came from behind again and walked off with a 3-2 win over the M-Braves (3-5, 32-46) at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The left-hander now ranks second in all of Minor League
PENSACOLA, FL --Bruce Zimmermann struck out 10 over 6.1 innings in his Double-A debut Friday night, but Pensacola (6-2, 36-40) came from behind again and walked off with a 3-2 win over the M-Braves (3-5, 32-46) at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The left-hander now ranks second in all of Minor League Baseball with 109 strikeouts between two levels this season, just one behind the overall leader.
After a 1 hour, 2-minute rain delay to start the game and scoreless first inning, the M-Braves and the Blue Wahoos exchanged solo home runs in the second inning. Braves' left fielder Travis Demeritte smacked one over the wall in left-center field in the top of the second inning and then in the bottom half, Blue Wahoos third baseman Mitch Nay hit his first Double-A home run to tie the game at 1-1. Demeritte's long ball was his seventh on the season.
Zimmermann retired the next six straight batters after the home run - four via strikeout - and did not allow a run over the rest of his outing.
The M-Braves cracked the scoreboard again in the sixth inning against Blue Wahoos starter Wyatt Strahan. Connor Lien started the inning with a double and was sacrificed to third by Luis Marté. Lien scored on a single to right by Tyler Neslony and it was 2-1 M-Braves.
Zimmermann went back out for the seventh inning and Aristides Aquino started the frame with a double. Taylor Sparks moved the tying run to third base with a sacrifice bunt. Zimmermann walked Chris Okey and M-Braves manager Chris Maloney went to his bullpen. Chad Sobotka came on and struck out pinch-hitter Narciso Crook and induced a fly out from T.J. Friedl.
Zimmermann, Atlanta's fifth-round pick in 2017, finished his first Double-A start with 10 strikeouts and three walks over 6.1 innings, scattering four hits and just one run in the no-decision. His double-digit strikeout performance was the fourth of the season and one shy of his career high.
Corbin Clouse (W, 2-1) took over for Sobotka in the bottom of the ninth inning and allowed a leadoff double to Okey to start the frame. After a strikeout of pinch-hitter Keury Mella, Friedl singled to left pushing the game-winning run to third. Jose Siri elevated a fly ball deep enough to left letting Okey score to hand Pensacola a 3-2 win.
Pensacola reliever Alejandro Chacin (W, 1-1) pitched 2.0 scoreless innings to secure the win, which was the sixth in a row for the Blue Wahoos. Their starter, Strahan tossed 7.0 innings of two-run baseball in a no-decision.
Luis Marte saw his nine-game hitting streak come to an end after a 0-for-2 performance but extended his on-base streak to 10 games with a walk. The M-Braves have dropped four straight.
The M-Braves and Blue Wahoos will play game three of the six-game series on Saturday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium. RHP Touki Toussaint (4-6, 3.19) makes the start for the M-Braves against Pensacola LHP Seth Varner (4-0, 2.61). First pitch is set for 6:35 pm with coverage beginning at 6:20 pm on 103.9 WYAB. Fans can also listen for free on the TuneIn Radio App.
The M-Braves return to Trustmark Park on Wednesday, July 4 for a Supersized Independence Day Fireworks Show. For tickets or more information fans can visit mississippibraves.com or call 888-BRAVES4.
