Braves Start Homestand with Loss: L, 6-5

The Braves scored three runs in the first four innings and led 5-3 heading into the eighth before the Lookouts rallied against Jose Ascanio and took the lead. The Lookouts held on and defeated the Braves 6-5 stealing the series opener in front of 3,985 at Trustmark Park.

Braves starter Daniel Curtis (2-5, 4.76 ERA) left the game with the lead only to watch the bullpen give away the game with an error, wild pitch, passed ball and a walk in the eighth.

Chattanooga got only four innings from starter Tyler Pelland (4-1, 3.43 ERA), but used five relievers to finish off the Braves. David Shafer pitched a perfect ninth for his SL-leading 18th save of the season.

The Braves continue their final 10-game homestand of the season which will close out the first half as the Braves host the Lookouts in game two of the five-game set Friday night at 7:05 CT. The Braves will send RHP Sean White (3-3, 4.57 ERA) to the hill, while Chattanooga counters with RHP Steve Kelly (7-3, 2.94 ERA). The Braves On Deck Circle powered by Nextel starts off the broadcast at 6:05pm (CT) on SuperSport 930. Don't forget to bring your radios Friday and tune into AM-930 or 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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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 fall to 17-10 when scoring first.
* The Braves fall to 21-12 when scoring 4 or more runs.
* Braves have won ten of their last thirteen games.
* The Braves are now 4 1/2 games out of 2nd Place.
* Gregor Blanco scored his team-high 36th run of the year.
* Matt Esquivel had his hit streak end at 4 games… (7-16, .438)
* Michael Rosamond extended his hit streak to 4 games… (6-14, .438)
* Jarrod Saltalamacchia extended his hit streak to a season-high 7 games… (11-29, .379)
* 3:42 - The longest game in MS Braves history.
* Luis Hernandez broke out of an 0-8 slump with five singles… marks the first five-hit game of the season for any Braves player.


by
Bryan Eubank