M-Braves split with Smokies

Published 12:00 pm Monday, July 26, 2010

The Mississippi Braves split a day-night doubleheader with the Tennessee Smokies on Sunday, winning the first game 7-6 and losing the nightcap 4-0.

In the first game, the M-Braves lost a four-run lead in the top of the seventh inning following a two-out grand slam from Tennessee’s Robinson Chirinos. With the game tied at six, the Braves collected a RBI single from Antoan Richardson to score Alejandro Machado in the bottom of the seventh for the game-winner.

The first game featured Jacob Thompson on the mound for Mississippi vs. Jeremy Papelbon for Tennessee. Thompson struck out seven, which was a single-game season high. Thompson left in line for the win, but due to the Tennessee comeback, he wound up with a no-decision. Papelbon also received a no-decision as the bullpens took charge.

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Mississippi got on the board first when Donell Linares belted his 10th home run in the second to give the M-Braves a 1-0 lead. Tennessee answered in the top of the third by scoring twice and taking their only lead at 2-1. That lead wouldn’t last, as the Braves plated one run in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at 2-2.

In game two, Smokies’ starter Chris Archer dominated the Braves and limited them to just one hit.

Despite taking a loss, Randall Delgado pitched well in his Double-A debut for the M-Braves. Delgado struck out five batters in five innings and gave up just three hits.

This pitching duel remained scoreless through four innings. The Smokies broke through in the fifth by sending eight batters to the plate and scored two runs. The Smokies added two more in the fifth and the sixth, including a solo home run by Tony Thomas. The only hit the Braves collected came off the bat of Yasser Gomez in the first inning.