cut to the chase

The Mississippi Braves managed to hang around the top of the Southern League’s South Division despite a six-game losing streak that was snapped in strong fashion on Saturday night. That trouble behind them, they hope, the M-Braves (30-25, tied for first with Jacksonville) can focus on what’s left: 15 games in the first half, a division crown hanging in the balance. Are they up to it? Aaron Holbert’s club has weathered — so far — the loss of three members of its vaunted starting rotation; Gary Moran and J.R. Graham have been injured and Alex Wood was promoted to Atlanta on Thursday. But holdovers Dan Schlosser (5-2, 2.97) and Aaron Northcraft (who pitched brilliantly in Saturday’s 6-1 win over Montgomery) have been solid, along with Cody Martin. The bullpen has blown seven saves, though Mark Lamm (1.41 ERA) has converted five of six. He could be a key factor down the stretch. Jose Martinez (.310, three homers, 26 RBIs) and Edward Salcedo (.286, seven, 25) have been sparks for the offense, which has gotten a lift also from Tommy La Stella (.302 in 22 games since coming up from A-ball). The catching tandem of oft-injured Christian Bethancourt (.274) and Braeden Schlehuber (four homers in 23 games) has been productive, too. Starting today, the M-Braves play five games at Chattanooga, five at home against Pensacola (June 7-11) and five at Tennessee. Note that they don’t play Jacksonville or the two teams tied for second in the South, Mobile and Montgomery, both 2 games behind. Without that head-to-head drama, the M-Braves may need some help in securing their first postseason berth since 2008. P.S. The resurgent Chris Coghlan (see previous posts) had three hits on Saturday for the Miami Marlins, extending the former Ole Miss star’s hitting streak to eight games and lifting his average to .274. … Ex-Rebels standout Alex Presley was recalled to the big leagues by Pittsburgh and is 3-for-6 since his return.