Jacksonville slows M-Braves’ roll

Published 11:50 pm Saturday, August 9, 2014

The Mississippi Braves’ surge to the top of the Southern League South Division standings hit a speed bump Saturday night.

Former LSU star Austin Nola went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored, Ryan Rieger doubled twice and scored a run, and the Jacksonville Suns beat the M-Braves 6-1 to stay in first place in the South Division.

Mississippi had won three in a row against the Suns, and five of six overall, to pull within a game of first place. Saturday’s loss ensured they’ll leave Jacksonville no better than a game out. The Suns and Braves finish their five-game set tonight, then the M-Braves return home for a series against Montgomery starting on Tuesday.

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Jacksonville hit six doubles in Saturday’s win and took a 5-0 lead after three innings. J.T. Realmuto delivered a two-run, two-out double in the bottom of the second that put the Suns ahead 4-0.

The M-Braves’ lone run came in the seventh inning, when Kyle Wren tripled and then scored on a two-out double by Mycal Jones.

Justin Nicolino (11-3) pitched six shutout innings for Jacksonville to get the win. Former Southern Miss star Collin Cargill threw two-thirds of an inning of relief in the seventh, but was touched for the two extra base hits that brought in the M-Braves’ run.