BILOXI, MS -- The Mississippi Braves (21-17) clinched the series with the Biloxi Shuckers (19-19) in three games, running away with a 10-4 victory Monday night at MGM Park. The M-Braves have now outscored the Shuckers 22-13 through the first three games of the series and sit alone in first place
BILOXI, MS -- The Mississippi Braves (21-17) clinched the series with the Biloxi Shuckers (19-19) in three games, running away with a 10-4 victory Monday night at MGM Park. The M-Braves have now outscored the Shuckers 22-13 through the first three games of the series and sit alone in first place in the Southern League South Division, one game ahead of Pensacola and two games ahead of Biloxi.
The highly anticipated Double-A debut of Brazilian left-hander Luiz Gohara was cut short in the third inning when the 20-year-old exited the game early. Gohara got through two complete innings before exiting, giving up one run on two hits and striking out one.
Chad Sobotka (2-1) picked up the win in relief, scattering three hits and one run over three innings of work. The righty was thrust into action with no warmup in the third, but retired the side and settled in quickly. Philip Pfiefer took over in the sixth, pitching a perfect frame before giving up two runs in the seventh as the Shuckers cut the lead to 7-4. Michael Mader (S, 3) threw two perfect innings to close out the game and pick up his third save of the season.
Offensively, the M-Braves were led by two three-hit games, as Kade Scivicque and Joey Meneses each went 3-for-4 at the plate. Meneses started the scoring early with a three-run homer that cleared the protective net in left field. In the ninth, Meneses added a two-run single, giving him five RBI on the night. Keith Curcio picked up his first homer of the year, a lead-off shot to right to start the third and answer the run scored by Biloxi in the second.
Mississippi got two-hit games from Curcio, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Travis Demeritte, as the visitors exploded for double-digit hits for the third time this series. Jared James picked up an RBI on a sacrifice fly, and Demeritte added two RBI. The M-Braves jumped out early and continued to build the lead throughout the game, taking a 7-4 advantage into the last inning of play. That's when the Braves pushed across three more runs on three hits, two walks and a hit batter.
With the win, the M-Braves take over sole possession of first place in the Southern League South Division and win the series with two games left to play. Game four is set for 10:35 AM Tuesday on 103.9 fm or wyab.com.
Mississippi: 10-12-0
Biloxi: 4-8-1
WP: Sobotka 2-1
LP: Guerra 0-1
SV: Mader 3
Att: 2,207
Time: 2:54
