Braves Melted by the Suns, 13-2

Justin Orenduff threw six no-hit innings against the Braves as the Suns offense lit up the scoreboard again in a 13-2 rout. The Suns have now outscored the Braves 23-5 in the first two games of the series at The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. TJ Nall threw three relief innings for his second save of the season in front of 9,122 fans.

Sean White (2-3, 5.55 ERA) was touched up early and often for ten runs in his worst outing of the year. Suns starter Justin Orenduff (2-2, 3.62 ERA) was re-activated before the game from the disabled list after suffering from elbow soreness, although he showed no signs of any problems. He left after six innings due to pitch count.

The first hit for the Braves came from an infield single by Yunel Escobar in the seventh. The Braves scored two runs in that frame on an error by Suns first baseman Craig Brazell. Jarrod Saltalamacchia ripped a ball down the first base line that he couldn’t handle which allowed Canizares and Escobar to score.

Suns third baseman, Andy LaRoche went 4 for 4 with 4 RBIs, including his fifth Homerun of the season. Chin-Lung Hu went 4 for 6 with three runs scored. Hu was spotted playing for Chinese-Taipei in the World Baseball Classic.

The Braves continue their ten game road trip Friday night against the Jacksonville Suns in game three of the series. The Braves send LHP Chris Waters (2-2, 3.56 ERA) to the hill, while Jacksonville counters with RHP Heath Totten (3-2, 3.35 ERA) at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville at 6:05. The Braves On Deck Circle powered by Nextel starts off the broadcast at 5:05pm on SuperSport 930.

Check out the Braves Minute here. To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.

BRAVES BITES:
* Martin Prado had his hitting streak end at 5 games… (10-23 .435)
* Barbaro Canizares extended his hitting streak to 4 games…(5-13, .385)
* Will Startup threw an inning of scoreless relief to lower his ERA to 0.78.
* The Braves fall to 8-19 when their opponent scores first, 4-20 when allowing a homerun.
* The Braves fall to 1-9 when scoring in just one inning.
* The Braves still lead the all-time series at The Baseball Grounds, 6-5.

by
Bryan Eubank