Baseball And Politics At Aaron Stadium

By Randy Patrick Sports

Canine candidate, Willie Bean and outgoing Monroeville Mayor delight crowd at Saturday night's BayBears game. See "first catch" and first pitch! Baseball And Politics At Aaron Stadium

Published: Sun, August 17, 2008 - 2:27 pm Last Updated: Thu, September 04, 2008 - 4:38 pm

Randy Patrick

Willie Bean was on hand Saturday night to receive the ceremonial first catch before the BayBears Braves game. Monroeville Mayor Anne Farish tossed out the first pitch. Farish is leaving office after 16 years as Monroeville's Mayor.
On the field.....

Good starts by Hector Ambriz and Tommy Hanson left the ballgame in the hands of the bullpens on Saturday night, and the BayBears' three-game winning streak was halted by a 3-2 Mississippi Braves victory at Hank Aaron Stadium.
Ambriz fired six innings of two-run, five-hit ball while Hanson allowed just one hit and one run in 5.2 frames.
Home runs by Jordan Schafer in the second and Jose Camarena in the fifth put the Braves (63-62, 33-22) in the lead while John Hester took Steve Marek (1-2) deep in the sixth to tie the score.
It remained 2-2 until the eighth when Abe Woody (1-6) allowed back-to-back singles to start the frame. With two outs, runners were still on first and second when pinch-hitter Quentin Davis lofted a fly ball down the left field line which fell for an RBI double with J.C. Holt scoring the winning run.
The BayBears (54-70, 25-29) did have an opportunity in the eighth when they had two men on, but Hester bounced to end the threat against Luis Valdez (S, 25). Cyle Hankerd made all the way to third in the ninth inning but was left when Yunesky Sanchez grounded out to end the game.

After an off day on Sunday, the BayBears resume their homestand on Monday when they welcome the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx to town at 7:05 p.m. Adam Howard (7-6, 5.03) gets the start against right-hander Joe Woerman (0-2, 3.46). Call (251) 479-BEAR for tickets or log on to www.mobilebaybears.com.

Key Moment

With Hanson's pitch count rising in the sixth, Braves manager Phillip Wellman had the unenviable task of removing Hanson from the game while Marek lost the lead.

Key Player

In only one at-bat, Davis changed the game with his RBI double. Entering Saturday's contest, Davis was hitting only .175 while going just 4-for-31 against the BayBears.

Key Number

The BayBears have had six 3-game winning streaks this season without ever grabbing a fourth straight win.