Minor League teams doing well in playoffs

SAN FRANCISCO -- One team advanced to the next level, another took the first step and another is on the verge of advancing as three D-backs affiliates participated in postseason play Thursday.

Ender Inciarte singled home the go-ahead run as the Double-A Mobile BayBears edged the Mississippi Braves, 3-2, at Hank Aaron Stadium. Nick Evans drove in two runs as the BayBears took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-five series.

Archie Bradley allowed two runs on seven hits over seven innings to gain the win. He walked one and struck out four.

The Class A South Bend Silver Hawks of the Midwest League Eastern Division defeated the visiting Great Lake Loons, 5-1, to clinch their best-of-three series and advance to the division playoffs, also a best-of-three series.

The Silver Hawks will play the Fort Wayne TinCaps, who upset the Bowling Green Hot Rods in two games to reach the division playoffs. South Bend (81-58 in the regular season) had the choice of hosting Game 1 or Games 2 and 3. The Silver Hawks chose to host Games 2 and 3 against the Loons.

The Hot Rods entered the postseason with the best overall record in the Eastern Division.

Braden Shipley allowed an unearned run on two hits over seven innings to earn the win for the Silver Hawks. He walked three and struck out four. Socrates Brito hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning to give South Bend a 4-1 advantage. Michael Perez also drove in two runs.

The Silver Hawks beat the Loons on Wednesday, 3-0.

In the California League playoffs, the Visalia Rawhide held a 1-0 advantage in its series with the Modesto Nuts entering play Thursday night.