Smokies Force Deciding Game: L, 7-4

The Smokies used the small ball in the 7th to tack 4 runs (2 earned, 2 unearned) on the board and pull out a 7-4 victory over the Braves in front of an announced crowd of 4,748 at Trustmark Park. With the win, the Smokies set up a rubber match on Saturday night. The Braves have yet to win three straight series this season. The Smokies also did damage with the long ball in the first and ninth with solo homers by Danny Richar and Jesus Cota.

Matt Harrison (1-2, 4.02 ERA) was forced from the game in the 7th after a come-backer bounced off his knee and into the dugout. Glenn Tucker (1-3, 3.70 ERA) was charged with the loss and blown save as the Smokies hit one ball out of the infield (the final out of the inning) to take a commanding 3-run lead. The Smokies used four relievers to combine for four innings of 1-run relief as Bill White picked up his 2nd save of the season.

Luis Hernandez was a bright spot for the Braves as he finished 3-for-4 with a stolen base and 2 runs scored. Josh Burrus drove in a pair with his lone hit of the night.

The Braves wrap up a five game set in Pearl, Mississippi at Trustmark Park as they take on the Tennessee Smokies, the AA Affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, in series finale and rubber match. First Pitch is set for 7:05 PM (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Dan Smith (2-5, 5.40 ERA) to the hill while the Smokies are scheduled to counter with RHP Steven Jackson (4-8, 2.94 ERA). The Braves On Deck Circle powered by Nextel starts off the broadcast at 6:05 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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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 fall to 8-6 in three-run games.
* The Braves fall to 13-36 when allowing a homerun.
* The Braves fall to 4-51 when trailing after 8 innings.
* Brandon Jones is now 8-23 in his last 6 games… (.348).
* The Braves fall to 27-16 when scoring four or more runs.
* The Braves fall to 15-37 when their opponent scores first.

HIT STREAKS:
* Mike Rozema is now stuck in an 0-7 skid.
* Joshua Arteaga is still mired in an 0-26 slump.
* Luis Hernandez is hot in his last 4 games… (7-13, .538).
* Barbaro Canizares extended his hit streak to 3 games… (4-11, .364).
* Jarrod Saltalamacchia had his hit streak end at 4 games… (5-12, .416).

TRANSACTIONS:
* None Today.

by
Bryan Eubank