Braves Shutout in Series Opener: L, 4-0

The Braves were shutdown and shutout by Mike Ekstrom as he tossed a complete game shutout against the Braves for his first win of the season in front of a Sunday night crowd of 3,493 at Trustmark Park. Ekstrom, (1-7, 4.02 ERA) winless on the season before Sunday's game, scattered eight hits and struck out five.

Sean White (4-6, 4.75 ERA), making his first start since June 9th looked pretty good. His only problem was the BayBears strung together their hits instead of having them scattered throughout his 6 and 2/3 innings.

The lone bright spot offensively was Ivan Terrazas as he continued his assault on Southern Leauge pitching with a 3-for-4 performance raising his season average up to (11-22, .500). Glenn Tucker was the pitching bright spot out of the pen as he retired all seven batters he faced in 2 and 1/3 innings of work.

The Braves hit into an inning ending double play in the 1st and 9th innings to squash any kind of rally against the BayBears. The Braves also finished 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left 6 men stranded including the bases loaded in the 4th.

The Braves will continue a five game set in Pearl, Mississippi at Trustmark Park as they take on the Mobile BayBears, the AA Affiliate of the San Diego Padres, in game two of the series. First Pitch is set for 7:05 PM (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Francisely Bueno (1-6, 3.75 ERA) to the hill, while the BayBears are scheduled to counter with RHP Jack Cassel (4-2, 2.47 ERA). The Braves On Deck Circle powered by Nextel will start things off at 7:00pm (CT). 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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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 10-6 in shutouts.
* The Braves fall to 1-7 on Sunday home games.
* The Braves fall to 7-19 in the first game of a series.
* Ivan Terrazas is batting 11-22, .500 as a MS Brave.
* The Braves fall to 17-48 when opponents scores first.
* The Braves fall to 3-7 in the first game of a homestand.
* The Braves fall to 4-59 when trailing after eight innings.
* The Braves fall to 11-40 when scoring two or fewer runs.

HIT STREAKS (3 games or more):
* Onil Joseph - 3 games - (5-11, .455)
* Josh Burrus - 3 games - (3-12, .250)
* Ivan Terrazas - 3 games - (9-13, .692)

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* Yunel Escobar - 3 games - (3-12, .250)
* Joshua Arteaga - 3 games - (5-14, .357)

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED: * NONE *

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS (More than 0-4):
* Ray Serrano - 0-6
* Mike Rozema - 0-7
* Luis Hernandez - 0-8

TRANSACTIONS: * NONE *

by
Bryan Eubank