broken record

It’s not all about winning in the minor leagues, we know, but the playoffs are fun for everyone involved. And, as we know also, the Mississippi Braves have not made the postseason since 2008. They really haven’t even made a serious run for a berth since winning the Southern League title in ’08, their fourth year in Pearl. Can the 2012 team break through? Well, as far as the first half is concerned, it’s time to get out the hammers. The M-Braves — home tonight to launch a five-game homestand — are 17-22, last place and 6½ games out in the SL South with 30 games to play. They need a win streak. Five or six in a row, maybe take nine of 10. That might get them going. They have the starting pitching to facilitate a roll. Zeke Spruill (3-3, 4.37) goes tonight; he can be even better than what he’s shown. Sunday’s starter, David Hale (3-2, 4.03), is coming off one of his best outings. Lefty Sean Gilmartin, the 2011 top pick, is 2-4 despite a 2.82; he goes Monday. The bats have perked up a bit, though the club is still last in the league in runs (141) and homers (12). Todd Cunningham is hitting .387 over his last 10 games and .330 overall, second in the SL. Keenan Wiley, signed in 2010 as a non-drafted free agent out of Kentucky, is at .340 in his 19 games since coming up. Evan Gattis has four homers and a .320 average in 13 games, and Andrelton Simmons is batting .293. Christian Bethancourt is fresh off the disabled list, and the big catcher's return to the lineup might help. This homestand presents a golden opportunity. Tennessee, from the North Division, comes in with the worst record in the league at 17-23, albeit just percentage points lower than the M-Braves. P.S. Today is Cool Papa Bell’s birthday. The former Negro Leagues star, one of two Mississippi natives in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, was born today in Starkville in 1903. He died in 1991.