Braves Blow 6-0 Lead to Stars: L, 7-6

The Braves staked Dan Smith to a 6-0 lead in the first five innings before the Huntsville Stars rallied for seven unanswered runs against the Braves bullpen to win 7-6 in front of a crowd of 2,736 at Trustmark Park. That coupled with Thursday-Saturday numbers and the Braves set a new four-day record of 21,008 shattering the old record set last season of 18,160 (June 16th - June 19th)

The loss ruined another great outing by Dan Smith (3-6, 3.10 ERA) as he limited the Stars to 2 hits while pitching around three walks. Smith has now allowed just one earned run in his last 28 1/3 innings of work, while striking out 46 batters and walking just 11. Ray Serrano ended an 0-6 skid with a pair of two-run singles in the first half of the game. The Braves defense also turned a record 4 double plays on the afternoon to keep the game from getting even farther out of hand.

Sean White (4-5, 4.70 ERA) was dealt the loss in relief as he had by far his worst outing in over a month giving up 6 runs on 7 hits and 5 walks. The Braves finished the series 10-for-39 with runners in scoring position while the Stars finished at 11-for-46.

The Braves will travel to Tennessee on their off day on Monday before starting up a five game set in Sevierville, Tennessee at Smokies Park as they take on the Tennessee Smokies, the AA Affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, in the series opener. First Pitch is set for 6:15 PM (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Francisely Bueno (1-6, 3.89 ERA) to the hill, while the Smokies are scheduled to counter with RHP A.J. Shappi (0-0, 7.20 ERA). The Braves On Deck Circle powered by Nextel will start things off at 5:45pm (CT). Don't forget if you're headed to the game then take your radio and tune to 104.1-FM exclusively at Smokies 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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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 18-20 in one run games.
* The Braves fall to 36-21 when scoring first.
* The Braves have lost 5 of their last 8 games.
* The Braves fall to 1-6 on Sunday games at home.
* The Braves fall to 19-46 when allowing a homerun.
* The Braves fall to 11-12 in the last game of a series.
* The Braves fall to 4-6 in the last game of a homestand.
* The Braves fall to 4-57 when trailing after eight innings.
* The Braves fall to 34-19 when scoring four or more runs.

HIT STREAKS (3 games or more):
* Josh Burrus - 3 games - (5-11, .455)
* Luis Hernandez - 3 games - (6-11, .545)

HIT STREAKS ENDED: *NONE*

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED:
* Ray Serrano ended an 0-6 slump with a 2-for-4 performance and 4 RBIs.

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS (More than 0-4):
* Mike Rozema - 0-7

TRANSACTIONS: *None*

by
Bryan Eubank