Braves On Wrong End of Pitchers’ Duel, Fall 3-2 to Biscuits

The Mississippi Braves got another strong outing from lefty Sean Gilmartin, but Montgomery took a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning and held on to it for their second win of the series.

Montgomery scored first, putting two men on base in the third inning, one by way of an error.  Second baseman Tyler Bortnick ripped his third triple of the season to left field to score both Isaias Velasquez and Hak-Ju Lee.  Gilmartin pitched out of the jam though, stranding Bortnick and keeping the game in striking distance.

Mississippi tied it up in the fourth with a two-out rally.  Ian Gac walked on a full count with two away, then Joe Leonard doubled to score him from first.  Christian Bethancourt a batter later tied the game with an RBI single, moving to second on a throw to the plate.  The Braves though would strand the runner in scoring position, so we stayed tied until the sixth.

Gilmartin got in some trouble in the sixth inning, walking Bortnick to lead off, then allowing singles to Cole Figueroa and Henry Wrigley to load the bases.  He got Omar Luna to ground back to him, to throw out the lead runner at the plate, but catcher Mark Thomas walked to bring in the go-ahead, deciding run.

The Braves had Andrelton Simmons on third base with two outs in the eighth, but that was as close as they would come to tying the game again.  The Braves are now 2-6 in the first eight games.

One note from the game is the transaction that happened earlier in the day.  Todd Cunningham was placed on the disabled list, and LV Ware came off the DL to take his roster spot.  Ware played well, drawing a walk, stealing a base, and making a spectacular diving play in shallow left field in the fifth to rob a base hit.

Game four of the series is Friday night at 7:00 PM.  The pre-game show (including an interview with Barrett Kleinknecht) begins at 6:30 on 103.9 WYAB and online at MississippiBraves.com or here.

Until then,

Kyle

Here’s the official release from tonight’s game:

Biscuits defeat Braves 3-2
Gilmartin walks in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning

For Immediate Release: Thursday, April 12, 2012

PEARL, MS—The Montgomery Biscuits defeated the Mississippi Braves 3-2 in game three of this five-game series at Trustmark Park. Both teams managed four hits apiece, but the M-Braves committed two errors in the contest.

Montgomery (3-5) jumped out to a quick lead in the top of the third. Isaias Velasquez walked and Hak-Ju Lee reached on a error to get things started. Tyler Bortnick followed with a two-run triple to put the Biscuits up 2-0.

The M-Braves (2-6) responded in the bottom of the fourth. Iac Gac drew a two-out walk before coming in to score on a Joe Leonard double to left field. Christian Bethancourt then delivered an RBI-single to centerfield, tying the game at 2-2.

Bortnick walked to start the sixth. Cole Figueroa and Henry Wrigley followed with back-to-back singles to load the bases with no outs. After a force out at home, Mark Thomas walked to drive in Figueroa and put the Biscuits up 3-2.

Sean Gilmartin (0-1) started and went six innings for the M-Braves, suffering his first loss of the season. He gave up three runs, two earned, on four hits, three walks, and three strikeouts.

Biscuits starter Kyle Lobstein (1-0) went five innings, giving up two earned runs on three hits and three walks. He struck out five Braves on the night to pick up his first victory of the year. Jim Paduch (S, 1) came on to work the final two frames and record his first save of the season.

M-Braves right-hander David Hale (0-1, 32.40) takes on Montgomery righty Joe Cruz (0-1, 6.00) in game four of this five-game series at Trustmark Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM. Gates open at 6:00 PM.

Montgomery Biscuits (3-5): 3 R 4 H 0 E
Mississippi Braves (2-6): 2 R 4 H 2 E

W: Kyle Lobstein (1-0)
L: Sean Gilmartin (0-1)
S: Jim Paduch (1)

Time: 2:33
Attendance: 2,649