M-Braves Pound Smokies 8-2 on Tuesday Night

Photo by Eddie Kelly

PEARL, MS – The Mississippi Braves (56-70, 23-35) handed the Tennessee Smokies (68-58, 32-26) their seventh straight loss in an 8-2 pounding to start a six-game home series at Trustmark Park on Tuesday night.

The Smokies walked 10 batters and allowed nine hits. The M-Braves scored three runs in the second and led the rest of the way, winning their fifth in the last seven games.

With two outs in the second, Brandon Parker knocked in a run with a base hit. Drew Campbell made it 3-0 with a two-run double to right center. Parker reached base four times, going 1-for-1 with three walks, an RBI and two runs.

Nolan Kingham put together a solid start in his seventh appearance for the M-Braves. The right-hander allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings. He gave up two walks and four hits with a season-high six strikeouts.

Cody Milligan stole two bases and scored on an error in the fifth.

In the sixth, the M-Braves tacked on their second three-run inning. Hudson Potts smashed a double off the third baseman’s glove and into left field to score two runs. Luke Waddell walked with the bases loaded to extend the M-Braves lead to 7-2. Potts went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI.

In the seventh, Campbell scored another run on a line drive to center to make it 8-2. Campbell went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI.

The bullpen pitched well behind Kingham’s start. Brooks Wilson retired five straight in 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Jake McSteen and Hayden Harris each pitched a shutout inning.

The second game of the series is on Wednesday night at Trustmark Park. RHP Daniel Martinez (0-2, 5.50) will make the start Mississippi while RHP Brandon Birdsell (1-3, 4.42) will start for Rocket City. The first pitch is at 6:35 pm CT, with coverage starting 15 minutes before on 102.1 The Box, MiLB First Pitch App, and Bally Live.