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By Special to the Advance

MONTGOMERY Ala. – It was a back-and-forth ballgame all night, but a late run for the Braves (15-18) in the eighth inning was enough to secure a 7-6 victory over the Biscuits (17-17) on Tuesday night at Riverwalk Stadium.

The Braves struck first despite failing to record a hit due to Justin Dean reaching third base off an error by Ronny Simon. Dean beat the tag at home plate to score off a sacrifice fly from Tyler Tolve. It did not take the Biscuits long to respond, as Austin Shenton and Diego Infante recorded a pair of RBI-hits to put Montgomery up 2-1 at the end of the first.

Mississippi threatened in the third with two runners on base, and Cal Conley was able to bring in one run off a single to left field. However, three-straight strikeouts prevented the Braves from taking the lead with the score tied at two entering the fourth.

The three strikeouts in the top of the fourth were only a footnote in Cole Wilcox’s seventh start of the season. The righty struck out nine batters in four innings, surrendering only two hits, two walks, and one earned run before being relieved by Carlos Garcia to open the fifth.

With two outs in the bottom of the inning and a runner on first, the Biscuits scored off a pair of doubles from Gionti Turner and Simon, with the latter bringing in the two runs to make the score 4-2.

Jesse Franklin V hit a 392 ft. three-run homer with two outs to put the Braves up 5-4 in the top of the fifth, despite Garcia recording three strikeouts to bring the combined tally to 12 on the night.

Scott Blewett’s fifth start of the season came to a close after four innings pitched, allowing seven hits, four runs, one walk, and striking out six. Lucas Luetge entered the game for Mississippi, with the Atlanta Braves pitcher participating in a rehab assignment before returning back to the majors.

After runners made it to first and second with one out in the top of the sixth, Andrew Moltz hit an RBI-double to right field, but Cade Bunnell was thrown out at home to prevent the deficit from growing to three in the sixth. After retiring the first two batters in the bottom-frame, Luetge was relieved by Coleman Huntley III (2-0), who successfully advanced the game into the seventh.

Montgomery had bases loaded with only one out in the bottom of the seventh, and a balk paired with an RBI-groundout from Infante tied the game at six. However, Mississippi took the lead again in the next frame after Bunnell hit an RBI-single into right field, making the score 7-6 entering the bottom of the eighth.

Chris Gau entered the game for Montgomery, replacing Nathan Wiles (0-1) to start the ninth inning. The right-hander retired the side in order to give the Biscuits one last chance down 7-6 in the ninth. Alec Barger looked to close the game after replacing Trey Riley to start the final frame, and the Braves closed the door on a comeback to win 7-6.

The Biscuits and the Braves return tomorrow night for the second game of a six-game series on Wednesday, May 17, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 PM CT. It is Craft Beer Night, and the featured pitching matchup pits Jacob Lopez (0-0) for Montgomery against Luis De Avila (1-2) for Mississippi.

 

The series will include Country Music Night T-Shirt Giveaway and Thirsty Thursday on May 18th; Jersey Rally Towel Giveaway presented by Reinhardt Lexus on Friday, May 19th; Family Faith Night and MAX Fireworks on Saturday, May 20th, and a Lil’ Crumbs Hat Giveaway along with Bark in the Park on Sunday, May 21st.