Braves Snatch Defeat from Jaws of Victory

West Tennessee rallied for four runs in the top of the eighth off of the Braves bullpen to reclaim the lead and hold on to win 6-4 over the Braves taking a 2-1 series advantage and preventing the Braves from winning back-to-back games for the second time this season. This was also the sixth time in the last seven games the Braves have had late-inning leads and wound up losing the game.

The Braves had rallied in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI double by Michael Rosamond and a two-run single by Luis Hernandez. The Braves also tried to rally in the ninth as Luis Hernandez and Ray Serrano delivered two-out base hits scoring one. Clay Rapada settled down though forcing Blanco into a game ending groundout, while picking up his ninth save of the season.

The loss ruined a good outing from Sean White (7.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 7 K, 1 HR) who left with the 3-2 lead, scattering 6 hits over seven innings. Dan Smith was charged with the blown save and took the loss falling to (0-3, 21.60 ERA) on the season.

The Braves and Diamond Jaxx face off again tomorrow night in game four of this five-game series at 7:05 pm at Trustmark Park. RHP Ryan Basner (0-2, 6.95 ERA) takes the hill for the Braves while West Tennessee counters with RHP Juan Mateo (1-2, 2.87 ERA) The Braves On Deck Circle powered by Nextel starts off the broadcast at 6:05pm on SuperSport 930 (WSFZ-AM-930).

Check out the Braves Minute here. Don't forget if you're headed to Trustmark Park bring your radio and tune into 104.3 FM to listen to the broadcast.

To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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:
* Gregor Blanco extended his current hitting streak to a team-high nine games ... (13-37, .351)
* Luis Hernandez extended his current hitting streak to five games ... (6-22, .273).
* Josh Burrus had a seven game hit streak end , while Yunel Escobar lost an eight game hit streak.
* The Braves now fall to 0-19 when trailing after eight innings, 8-4 when leading after seven, 3-10 in two-run games.
* This was the Braves first Tuesday home loss.

by
Bryan Eubank