Braves Rally to Defeat Barons: W, 6-3

The MS Braves rallied from a 3-0 deficit Saturday night to defeat the Birmingham Barons 6-3 in front of a crowd of 5,002 at Trustmark Park. The Braves performed better with runners in scoring position finishing 5 for 10 and only stranding 6 baserunners. New MS Brave, Clint Sodowsky did not factor in the decision but pitched well in his first outing. Ryan Basner (2-4, 4.88) threw three innings of effective relief inducing two inning-ending double plays to set up a perfect ninth for birthday boy Zach Schreiber (8th Save).

There were only two Braves who failed to collect a base hit (Saltalamacchia & Arteaga) but the Braves managed to knock 12 around the park including three doubles. Luis Hernandez had a 3-hit night (his fourth) and his first 3-RBI game of the season. Brandon Jones finished with two hits including his third double of the season. Barbaro Canizares finished 3 for 3 and raised his batting average to .310 and is now the #4 batter in the Southern League.

The Braves continue a five game homestand at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Mississippi as they take on the Birmingham Barons, the AA Affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. First Pitch is set for 1:05 PM (CT). The Braves will send another new face to the hill in LHP Matt Harrison (0-0, 0.00 ERA), while the Barons counter with LHP Ray Liotta (2-7, 3.98 ERA). The Braves On Deck Circle powered by Nextel starts off the broadcast at 12:05 PM (CT) on SuperSport 930. Don't forget if you're headed to the game then take your radio and tune to 104.3-FM exclusively at Trustmark Park.

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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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:
* The Braves improve to 5-5 in three-run games.
* The Braves improve to 4-12 in the first game of a series.
* The Braves improve to 22-13 when not allowing a homerun.
* The Braves improve to 1-5 in the first game of a homestand.
* The Braves improve to 24-0 when leading after eight innings.
* The Braves improve to 25-13 when scoring four or moreruns.
* The Braves improve to 12-30 when their opponent scores first.

HIT STREAKS:
* Onil Joseph extended his hit streak to 3 games… (4-14, .286)
* Ray Serrano extended his hit streak to 6 games… (7-22, .318)
* Yunel Escobat extended his hit streak to 3 games… (4-11, .364)
* Luis Hernandez extended his hit streak to 2 games… (5-8, .625)

TRANSACTIONS:
RHP Dave Coggin released
LHP Matt Harrison promoted to AA Mississippi
RHP Carlos Almanzar promoted to AAA Richmond
OF Bobby Darula signed and placed in AA Mississippi
RHP Clint Sodowsky signed and placed in AA Mississippi
ALSO - Matt Esquivel was suspended indefinitely for team disciplinary reasons.

by
Bryan Eubank