Braves Blow Series Opener: L, 3-2 (10)

The Braves belted a pair of solo homeruns in the 1st and 9th innings against the Tennessee Smokies but were unable to finish the job as Tennessee rallied in the bottom of the 9th and 10th for a 3-2 series opening win in front of 2,410 at Smokies Park.

Zach Schreiber blew just his second save of the season as Alberton Gonzalez delivered a two-out RBI single to tie the game in the 9th. The inning was set up by Schreiber as he hit the first batter on an 0-2 count. He then sent him to 2nd base on a wild pitch. Avlas and Cota both struck out before he issued another wild pitch sending Richard to 3rd base. Schreiber then issued a two-out walk to Garrabrants to bring up Gonzalez.

In the 10th inning, Glenn Tucker allowed a leadoff single and hit a batter to start the 10th before loading up the bases on a throwing error. Pinch hitter, Wilkin Castillo, came through with the sacrifice fly to end the game and continue the recent misery of the Braves.

Onil Joseph led off the game with his 3rd homerun of the season, all of which have been solo homers. Josh Burrus belted his 2nd of the season with one out in the 9th to stake the Braves to a 2-1 lead before the bullpen blew it in the 9th and 10th.

The Braves will contineu 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 game two of the series. First Pitch is set for 6:15 PM (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Chris Waters (7-11, 4.75 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 104.3-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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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 18-21 in one run games.
* The Braves fall to 1-10 following an off day.
* The Braves fall to 36-22 when scoring first.
* The Braves have lost 7 of their last 11 games.
* The Braves fall to 19-47 when allowing a homerun.
* The Braves fall to 7-18 in the first game of a series.
* The Braves fall to 2-8 in the first game of a road trip.
* The Braves fall to 11-39 when scoring two or fewer runs.

HIT STREAKS (3 games or more):
* Josh Burrus - 4 games - (6-15, .400)

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* Onil Joseph - 3 games - (3-13, .231)
* Luis Hernandez - 3 games - (6-11, .545)

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED:
* Mike Rozema ended 0-8 skid with a 5th inning single.

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS (More than 0-4):
* Joshua Arteaga - 0-10

TRANSACTIONS:
* Brandon Jones placed on DL
* Ivan Terrazas promoted to Mississippi
* Jarrod Saltalamacchia removed from roster
(Selected to play for US National Team)

by
Bryan Eubank