The Mississippi Braves’ golden opportunity to make up ground in the Southern League playoff race is quickly slipping away.

Marc Krauss tripled in the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning Wednesday, and the Mobile BayBears beat the M-Braves 2-1 at Trustmark Park.

It was the seventh win in a row for Mobile against the M-Braves, and the BayBears now hold a seven-game lead in the South Division. Mississippi is tied for third place, nine games back. The teams play three more times this week, then a five-game series in Mobile Aug. 10-14.

On Wednesday, Krauss’ tiebreaking triple gave Mobile the upper hand in what had been a pitchers’ duel.

Paul Clemens allowed only two hits and one run in 62⁄3 innings for the M-Braves (15-17), and Bryan Henry gave up two hits in five shutout innings for Mobile (24-8). The M-Braves tied it at 1 in the sixth inning when Mycal Jones doubled and scored on a two-out single by Ernesto Mejia.

In the ninth, Mobile finally broke the tie. Taylor Harbin reached base with a one-out double and Krauss followed with his triple to center field to bring in the go-ahead run.

Harbin finished the game 2-for-3 and scored both runs for Mobile. Mejia and Donell Linares had two hits apiece for the M-Braves.