BILOXI, MS -- The Mississippi Braves (20-17) used a five-run fourth inning to jump in front of the Biloxi Shuckers (19-18) early at MGM Park before holding on to withstand a late rally for a 6-5 victory. The Double-A Braves have now won the first two games in the series, and
BILOXI, MS -- The Mississippi Braves (20-17) used a five-run fourth inning to jump in front of the Biloxi Shuckers (19-18) early at MGM Park before holding on to withstand a late rally for a 6-5 victory. The Double-A Braves have now won the first two games in the series, and three games straight, to take a one game lead on the Shuckers and at least a share of first place in the South Division, depending on the outcome of Pensacloa's game Sunday.
No. 4 prospect Kolby Allard (4-1) recorded his fourth win in his last four starts on the back of a five shutout inning performance. The lefty gave up two hits and three walks, but struck out four. Allard left after five complete with a 6-0 advantage in place for the bullpen to hold onto.
Offensively, the M-Braves took an early lead with a run in the second on an RBI single by Levi Hyams that scored Keith Curcio from second. In the fourth, the offense exploded for five runs as the visitors sent all nine batters in the lineup to the plate. Biloxi starter Jorge López (2-2) was pulled with two outs in the inning and took the loss. He went 3.2 innings, giving up six runs on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
The inning started with a Carlos Franco single, followed by Curcio single and a Connor Lien walk. Hyams plated the second run of the game on a sacrifice fly to center to make it 2-0. Sal Giardina singled to load the bases again, but Allard hit into a fielder's choice that saw Curcio thrown out at home. After Luis Valenzuela was walked to score the third run, the Shuckers went to the pen for Jon Perrin. Perrin promptly gave up a three-run double to Acuna, extending the Braves lead to 6-0.
At the plate, the M-Braves were led by Curcio's perfect 4-for-4 night, including a double, three singles and a walk. Acuna added a 4-for-5 night with a double and three RBI. Franco added two hits, Hyams had a hit and two RBI and Valenzuela also picked up an RBI.
After Allard was pinch hit for in the fifth, the M-Braves went to lefty Jesse Biddle out of the pen. Biddle was roughed up for four runs, only two earned, in the sixth as the Shuckers came roaring back. Biddle completed the sixth and seventh innings before giving way to Jason Hursh with a 6-4 lead. Hursh pitched a scoreless eighth before Bradley Roney came in to get the save in the ninth. Roney gave up a solo shot to Mauricio Dubón with one out in the ninth, but struck out Ortega and Reed to end the game.
Mississippi: 6-14-3
Biloxi: 5-8-0
WP: Allard
LP: Lopez
SV: Roney
Att: 2,274
Time: 2:58
