M-braves get victory

MOBILE, Ala. – Mississippi Braves right-hander Ian Anderson struck out nine batters over six innings on Tuesday night, taking over the top spot in Minor League Baseball with 147 this season.

The 21-year-old top pitching prospect for the Atlanta Braves settled for a no-decision in Mississippi's series-clinching 6-5 win over the Mobile Baybears at Hank Aaron Stadium.

The series win for the M-braves is their first over the Baybears since their affiliation change to the Angels in 2017. The third-straight win improved the club to 6-3 during the road trip and 10-3 over the last 13 games, now trailing in the division by just 4.0 games.

Anderson dealt a pair of scoreless innings and struck out three before running into trouble in the third inning. The right-hander gave up a leadoff single to Connor Justus and then with one out, Brandon Marsh sent a 320 foot home run over the 310 marker in right field to give the Baybears a 2-0 lead. Anderson struck out the next two batters to end the inning, giving him five for the night.

After surrendering a leadoff double to Jordan Zimmerman in the fourth inning, Anderson got a ground out and then back-to-back strikeouts to tie and take the Minor League Baseball lead with 145 strikeouts. The Rexford, New York native ended his 86-pitch outing with 6.0 innings of two-run baseball, on six hits with one walk and nine strikeouts. Overall, Anderson has 147 strikeouts, and 47 walks over 111 innings, posting a 7-5 record and 2.68 ERA.