first of all ...

There were some notable firsts involving Mississippians in the big leagues on Monday. Southern Miss alumnus Brian Dozier got his first hit in his first game for Minnesota. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College product Tony Sipp got his first save of the season (and second career) for Cleveland. Former Mississippi State star Jonathan Papelbon suffered his first loss as Philadelphia’s closer, giving up a three-run homer in the ninth inning. But ex-Ole Miss standout Drew Pomeranz took the cake. Sort of. The Colorado pitcher hit his first major league home run. Alas, he was also hit in the right leg by a line drive (he’s reportedly OK), lasted just three innings and took the loss to fall to 0-2, 4.70 for the season. P.S. UM product Lance Lynn moved to 6-0 for St. Louis, and fellow ex-Rebel Zack Cozart, now batting leadoff for Cincinnati, homered for the second time in four games.