Suns Push Win Streak to Fifteen: L, 7-1

The Suns used the long ball and double plays to extend their franchise-best winning streak to fifteen straight games, as they beat the Braves 7-1 in front of a crowd of 3,217 at Trustmark Park. For the second straight night the Suns got a season-best effort from a starter as Heath Totten (6-2, 3.61 ERA) struck out ten Braves and induced four double plays in the first five innings as he picked up his sixth win. Totten pitched a season-high eight innings and scattered eight hits.

Braves starter, Chris Waters (3-5, 4.70 ERA) was victimized again by the long ball giving up two to run his season total to a Southern League leading 14 Homeruns allowed. He also walked three while striking out four. The Braves bullpen, meanwhile, managed to retire 15 of the last 17 batters they faced while striking out six.

The Braves got their only run in the sixth as Blanco doubled to start the inning and Escobar drove him in which ended a 19 inning scoreless streak against the Suns.

The Braves continue their final 10-game homestand of the season which will close out the first half as the Braves welcome the defending Southern League Champion Jacksonville Suns in the fourth game of a five-game set Friday night at 7:05 CT. The Suns have won a franchise best 15 in a row and 23 of their last 24. They can tie the SL record for consecutive wins with one more win. The Braves will send RHP Paul Bush (4-5, 4.69 ERA) to the hill, while Jacksonville counters with RHP Joel Hanrahan (7-2, 2.586 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 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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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:
* Braves have lost six of their last eight games.
* The Braves fall to 4-37 when trailing after 8 innings.
* Yunel Escobar ended an 0-9 slump, with two singles.
* The Braves fall to 2-20 when scoring 2 or fewer runs.
* The Braves have still not won on a Thursday at home.
* The Braves fall to 10-28 when their opponent scores first.
* Onil Joseph extended his hit streak to 4 games… (6-15, .400)
* Matt Esquivel had his hit streak end at 6 games… (7-24, .292)
* Gregor Blanco extended his hit streak to 5 games… (9-19, .474)
* Gregor Blanco picked up his 41st Run Scored… tied for 4th in SL.

by
Bryan Eubank