By Kyle Tait

Top prospect doubles, homers, drives in all three Braves runs

Jacksonville, FL — The much-anticipated debut of Dansby Swanson didn’t disappoint on Saturday night, as the prospect shortstop drove in all of Mississippi’s runs in a 3–2 win over the Jacksonville Suns at the Baseball Grounds.

Hear the highlights, with Kyle Tait on the call:

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Trailing 1–0 in the third inning, Matt Lipka hit a one-out double and Swanson followed with his first double-A hit, a liner down the left field line for an RBI double to tie the game.

Then in the eighth, with the game tied 1–1, Sean Godfrey hit a pinch-hit double and Swanson jumped on the first pitch from reliever Patrick Johnson (1–1) for a two-run home run, giving the Braves (9–14) the lead for good.

Swanson finished his day 2-for-3 after hearing of his promotion from high-A Carolina early Saturday morning.

Reliever Stephen Janas (2–2) picked up the win for the Braves, firing 1 2/3 scoreless innings to follow up Sean Newcomb. Newcomb allowed just a run on five hits over his 5 1/3 innings, striking out five and walking three in the no-decision.

Two of Newcomb’s walks were in the first inning. After Yefri Perez and Jeremias Pineda led off the bottom of the first with infield hits, Newcomb walked JT Riddle to load the bases. Austin Dean hit a sacrifice fly to left to take a 1–0 Suns lead.

Johnson (1–1) took the loss, allowing two runs on three hits over two innings in relief. Suns (10–13) starter Austin Brice took a no-decision, allowing a run on three hits over six innings, with four strikeouts and two walks.

Jacksonville threatened a comeback late. In the eighth inning, Riddle singled off reliever Mauricio Cabrera, moving to second on a passed ball. Brady Shoemaker drove him home with an RBI single to make it 3–2, but Cabrera got out of the jam, then set down the Suns in the ninth for his third save.

The M-Braves look to take the series in the fourth of five on Sunday afternoon, a 2:05 PM CT matinee pitting right-hander Rob Whalen (1–2, 4.05) against Jacksonville left-hander Chris Reed (0–0, 3.86) at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

Mississippi Braves (9–14) 3 R 6 H 0 E

Jacksonville Suns (10–13) 2 R 9 H 1 E

W — Janas (2–2)

L — Johnson (1–1)

S — Cabrera (3)

Time: 2:32

Attendance: 5,270

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Kyle Tait is in his sixth season as the radio voice of the Mississippi Braves, double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter: @HearKyleTait, and take a listen at HearKyleTait.com