Bats Slump as M-Braves Fall in Pensacola
Pensacola, FL - The Mississippi Braves couldn't get the bats going on Tuesday night in Pensacola, falling 5-1 at Blue Wahoos Stadium in the third of a five-game series.
Jackson Stephens (7-10) held the Braves (22-16; 56-51) in check over seven innings, allowing just a run on three hits and a walk, striking out seven.
Pensacola (19-19; 60-48) started the scoring in the second off M-Braves starter Manny Banuelos (0-2). Brandon Dixon led off the inning with a solo home run, his 14th of the year, to make it 1-0.
In the fourth, the Blue Wahoos added two more. With two out, Taylor Sparks walked and Chad Wallach knocked a two-run homer to left-center to make it 3-0.
Banuelos' day was done after four innings, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks, striking out two. Akeel Morris came on with 1 2/3 scoreless innings, and Caleb Dirks added 1 1/3 scoreless frames in relief.
The Braves got their lone run in the seventh. Dansby Swanson led off the frame with a triple and came into score on a Dustin Peterson RBI groundout to first.
The Blue Wahoos extended the lead again with two insurance runs in the eighth off reliever Philip Pfeifer. Wallach and Joe Hudson led off with back-to-back walks and moved to scoring position on a wild pitch. With two out, Alex Blandino knocked a single to score both, stretching the lead to 5-1.
The M-Braves and Wahoos continue the series with the fourth of a five-game series on Wednesday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium at 6:30 PM CT. Right-hander Lucas Sims (3-3, 2.26) takes the ball for the Braves against right-hander Sal Romano (4-10, 3.98).
Mississippi Braves (22-16, 56-51) 1 R 4 H 0 E
Pensacola Blue Wahoos (19-19, 60-48) 5 R 10 H 0 E
W - Stephens (7-10)
L - Banuelos (0-2)
Time: 2:48
Attendance: 3,303