PEARL – Jackson, Miss., native Zachary Bird made his Braves organizational debut with the Mississippi Braves Monday night at Trustmark Park. He tossed 5.2 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and three walks while fanning two batters as the M-Braves and Montgomery Biscuits battled through a classic pitcher’s duel and forced extra innings.

The M-Braves and Montgomery battled through the first 11 frames without scoring a run. Jake Bauers doubled to left field with one out in the 12th. Leonardo Reginatto then delivered a single to right field, putting the Biscuits out front 1-0 and ultimately securing the win.

Mississippi (20-17, 53-52) had three hits in the contest while Montgomery (21-15, 55-49) scored one run on six hits.

The Biscuits countered Bird’s stellar work with a solid start from Taylor Guerrieri. He held the Braves to two hits and a walk over five innings and struck out three batters. Kyle McPherson worked two scoreless innings in relief before giving way to Brad Schreiber for three scoreless frames. Matt Lollis (3-2) tossed the final two innings for Montgomery and picked up the win.

Both teams threatened a couple of times. The Braves moved a runner over to third with two outs in the fifth but did not score. Montgomery led off the 10th with a double and moved the runner to third with one out but did not score.

Andrew Barbosa worked 3.1 innings in relief for the M-Braves, holding Montgomery to just one hit and a walk. He struck out five batters. Tyler Jones came on in the ninth and worked two scoreless innings. Jorge Reyes (6-6) gave up one earned run on two hits in the 12th and took the loss.

The M-Braves send righty Stephen Janas (1-4, 3.55) to the hill in game three of this five-game series. He’ll counter Biscuits lefty Chris Kirsch (0-2, 5.21). First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m.

By M-Braves Sports Media Relations