Conley, Sanchez homer late as M-Braves beat Wahoos 4-2 on Friday night
PENSACOLA, FL (August 30, 2024) — Cal Conley and Yolbert Sanchez hit solo home runs in the eighth and ninth to break a 2-2 tie and win Friday's game four of the six-game series over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 4-2. Sanchez was 2-for-4, recording his 11th multi-hit game in his
PENSACOLA, FL (August 30, 2024) — Cal Conley and Yolbert Sanchez hit solo home runs in the eighth and ninth to break a 2-2 tie and win Friday's game four of the six-game series over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 4-2. Sanchez was 2-for-4, recording his 11th multi-hit game in his last 17, batting .431.
With Friday's win, the M-Braves remain 5.0 games back of first-place Montgomery but are now just 1.5 games behind Biloxi for the second playoff spot in the Southern League's South Division.
Pensacola (26-28, 64-58) jumped out to a 1-0 lead by grabbing a run in the bottom of the first inning. Nathan Martorella hit a one-out double and scored on a single by Graham Pauley.
Blue Wahoos starter Jacob Miller held the M-Braves (28-27, 59-64) in check over the first four innings, allowing just a walk and no hits. Bryson Horne greeted the 21-year-old hurler with a double down the left-field line for the first hit. Geraldo Quintero and Cade Bunnell walked to load the bases, but Miller retired the next two. Cody Milligan smashed a liner past the Wahoos first baseman Josh Zamora, scoring Horne and Quintero to go up 2-1.
Mississippi starter Ian Mejia worked in and out of trouble throughout his outing and left after 95 pitches with two on and one out in the bottom of the fifth inning. Drew Parrish surrendered an RBI single to Paul McIntosh, which tied the game at 2-2. Mejia gave up two runs on four hits over 4.1 innings with five walks and five strikeouts.
The M-Braves bullpen was again outstanding, with Parrish tossing 1.2 scoreless innings and 2.0 shutout innings by Patrick Halligan (W, 5-1).
Conley gave Mississippi the lead 3-2 in the eighth inning on a two-out solo home run on an 0-2 pitch. Conley's third home run of the season was the second of the series for the M-Braves. Sanchez capped his night with a line drive homer down the left field line to start the top of the ninth inning and increase the lead to 4-2.
Elison Joseph (S, 5) saved his second game of the series with a scoreless ninth, striking out two and walking one to secure the second win of the set.
Game five of the six-game series between the M-Braves and Blue Wahoos is on Saturday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The first pitch is set for 6:05 pm with RHP Lucas Braun (3-1, 2.36) starting for Mississippi against LHP Robby Snelling (3-8, 5.54). Coverage begins at 5:50 pm on 102.1 The Box, Bally Live, and MiLB.tv.
The final homestand is September 3-8 against the Tennessee Smokies at Trustmark Park. The historic final homestand will include a Mystery Giveaway on Friday, September 6, featuring bobbleheads and other collector's items. Saturday, September 7, is the final Post-Game Fireworks Show, and on Sunday, September 8, the first 1,000 fans will get 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.
PHOTO BY DANNY PARKER