Braves Win Streak Ends at Seven: L, 3-1

Kevin Randle launched a full count pitch with two outs and two on over the right field wall to give the Mudcats a 3-1 lead they would not relinquish as they stopped the Braves franchise-best win streak at seven in front of 3,181 at Five County Stadium.. Paul Bush (4-4, 4.01 ERA) in his bid to become the first Brave pitcher to 5 wins made just the one mistake to Kevin Randle while striking out a season-high eight batters. The Braves struggled moving baserunners as three of their eight hits were for extra bases. The Mudcats stopped a six-game losing skid of their own.

The Braves once again threatened in the ninth getting the tying run on base before Mike Rozema struck out looking to end the game. Former MSU Bulldog Christopher Young pitched the ninth for his first save in two chances with the Mudcats. Manu Olivera (3-1, 2.36) picked up his third win in just his sixth start as he also struck out a season-high eight batters.

Michael Rosamond and Jarrod Saltalamacchia were the only two Braves to collect two hits in the game as the top five in the order combined to go 2 for 15.

The Braves finally wrap up their ten-game road trip with the series finale in Zebulon, North Carolina Tuesady night. It’s game five of the five-game set against the Carolina Mudcats at 6:15 CT. The Braves will send RHP Matt Wrgith (4-2, 2.28 ERA) to the hill in search of his team-high fifth win, while Carolina counters with LHP Adam Bostick (4-3, 4.36 ERA). The Braves On Deck Circle powered by Nextel starts off the broadcast at 5:15pm (CT) on SuperSport 930. If you're headed to Zebulon, NC don't forget to bring your radios and tune into 107.5 FM exclusively at Five County Stadium.

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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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

* Braves have won nine of their last eleven games.
* The Braves fall to 16-9 when scoring first.
* Yunel Escobar had his hit streak end at 6 games… (11-22, .500)
* Matt Esquivel extended his hit streak to 3 games… (6-13, .462)
* Michael Rosamond extended his hit streak to 2 games… (4-7, .571)
* Jarrod Saltalamacchia extended his hit streak to 5 games… (8-20, .400)
* The Braves are 9-23 when allowing a homerun.
* The Braves fall to 8-13 in two-run games.
* The Braves have been outhomered 45-30 this season.
* Gregor Blanco is mired in an 0-9 slump.

by
Bryan Eubank