Conley and Valdes homer, but M-Braves drop third-straight to Smokies on Thursday 

KODAK, TN (June 20, 2024) — The Mississippi Braves dropped their third straight to the Tennessee Smokies on Thursday night, 4-3, at Smokies Stadium. Down 4-3 with two outs in the top of the ninth inning, pinch runner Geraldo Quintero was thrown out to end the game, attempting to steal home and tie the game. Cal Conley and Javier Valdes homered in the loss.

The Smokies (39-26), now just a half-game back of first place in the Southern League's North Division, struck first in the third game of the series with two runs in the bottom of the first. M-Braves starter Drew Parrish issued a walk to leadoff hitter Christian Franklin, and then Matt Shaw followed with a double. After a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases, Luis Verdugo hit a sacrifice fly, and then Hayden McGearly singled in a run to make it 2-0.

Javier Valdes cut the lead in half with his third home run at Smokies Stadium since 2022 in the top of the third. The Mississippi DH blasted a line drive 387 feet into the second deck of the left field terrace. Matt Shaw pushed the lead back to two at 3-1 with a solo shot in the bottom of the third.

Parrish settled in after the Shaw home run and sat down the final 10 batters until he exited the game with one out in the sixth inning. Overall, the left-hander worked 5.1 innings, giving up three runs on three hits with two walks and three strikeouts in his team-best 13th start.

Conley doubled in his first at-bat and sent a two-run home run over the right-field wall in the top of the fourth inning to tie the game at 3-3. The homer from Conley was off his former Texas Tech teammate and Smokies starter Brandon Birdsell.

Tennessee took back the lead for good in the seventh inning against reliever Jonathan Hughes (L, 2-1). Franklin hit an RBI single, bringing home Ezequiel Pagan for the 4-3 advantage.

The M-Braves (29-36) mounted a ninth-inning rally with one out after a single from Bryson Horne. Quintero pinch-ran for Horne and moved to second base on a passed ball. Tennessee closer Cam Sanders (S, 5) struck out Yolbert Sanchez for the second out but let Conley reach on an error. With Tyler Tolve at the plate, Conley stole second base, placing the go-ahead run into scoring position. In a 2-2 count, Quintero took off from third base in an attempt to steal home but was cut down by Sanders to end the game.

Conley finished the night 2-for-4, and Valdes was 1-for-3 with the home run. Cody Milligan extended his hitting streak to five games with a 1-for-4 night at the plate.

The Smokies host Mississippi again on Friday night at Smokies Stadium for game four of the six-game set. LHP Luis De Avila (1-9, 4.40) will start for the M-Braves against Tennessee LHP Alex Troop (1-1, 5.54). The first pitch is scheduled for 6:00 pm CT, with coverage starting at 5:45 pm on 102.1 The Box, Bally Live, and MiLB.tv.

The M-Braves return to Trustmark Park to begin the second half, June 25-30, against the Montgomery Biscuits. The series features a Blues & Brews Replica Jersey Giveaway on Friday, June 28, Disability Awareness Night, Special Jersey Auction on Saturday, June 29, and Post-Game Fireworks presented by the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services.