Braves Reclaim First With Two Wins Over Pensacola’s Wahoos

June 11, 2013

The Blue Wahoos nearly prevented the Braves from reclaiming the top spot in the Southern League South Division on two separate occasions on Monday, but the resilient Braves battled back in both games to walk-off with a 7-5 win in the conclusion of Sunday’s game and a 3-1 win in the second game.

Sunday’s game was resumed with Pensacola leading 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth, but the Braves quickly plated a two-out run when the game resumed and scored another in the bottom of the eighth to cut the Wahoos lead to two. Theo Bowe provided an insurance run in the top of the ninth with a solo home run, his second of the road trip and his third of the season, to make it a 5-2 Wahoos advantage.

The Braves exploded offensively in the bottom of the ninth against Blue Wahoos reliever Loek Van Mil. A hit by pitch and single started the inning, before Mycal Jones unloaded a pinch-hit three-run home run to tie the score at 5-5. With two outs, Kyle Russell walked before Christian Marrerro belted a game-winning two-run home run to straight away centerfield giving the Braves a 7-5 win.

In game two and the game scoreless, the Blue Wahoos used an error to allow Joe Mather to reach and advance to second opening the sixth inning. Tucker Barnhart quickly followed with a double to the right field corner which plated Mather for the game’s first run. The Braves countered with a run in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at one. Dan Brewer drew a one-out walk from Shaun Ellis and scored on a base-hit from Christian Bethancourt off Brian Pearl to make it a 1-1 game. The run was charged to Ellis and was the only run the Wahoos spot starter was tagged with over 5.1 innings.

Both teams were retired in order in the seventh inning to force extras. Pensacola threatened in the top of the eighth but were held scoreless. The Braves struck again in the bottom of the eighth. After an error at shortstop loaded the bases with only one out, Christian Bethancourt hit a ground rule double plating two runs to give Mississippi their second walk-off win of the night.

Despite a win by Mobile, the Braves have reclaimed sole possession of first place in the Southern League South Division by a half-game. Pensacola will try to knock the Braves out of first in the series finale on Tuesday. The Wahoos will turn to RHP Josh Smith (5-5, 3.50) while the Braves counter with RHP Aaron Northcraft (2-4, 4.58). First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.

story by Kevin Burke

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports