Braves Wednesday Woes Continue: L, 5-0

The Braves suffered their first shutout in nearly a month (July 12th) as the Mudcats took the season and series finale 5-0 in front of an announced crowd of 3,058 at Trustmark Park. Dan Smith (2-6, 3.99 ERA) suffered the setback despite only allowing two runs (1 earned) through 5 and 2/3 innings, while striking out eight. Smith has now struck out 28 batters in his last four appearances (16 2/3 innings). The shutout was just the team's fifth on the season.

The game really fell apart for the Braves in the 7th inning as two errors, a hit batsman and a controversial RBI infield single came across to score the first run while a solid 2-run double scored the other two against reliever Sean White. All 3 runs were unearned.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was the lone bright spot for the offense as he finished off the homestand with a 3-for-4 performance with his 15th double and his 17th multi-hit game of the season. He has been red-hot since coming off the Disabled List (20-44 -- .454 avg). The Braves managed no hits from the 4th through the 8th inning.

The Braves are now a game and a half back of 4th place Birmingham and 7 games behind 1st place Jacksonville.The Braves enjoy an off day on Thursday and then start up a five game set in Montgomery, Alabama at Riverwalk Stadium as they take on the Montgomery Biscuits, the AA Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, in the series opener. First Pitch is set for 7:05 PM (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Francisely Bueno (1-4, 3.70 ERA) to the hill, while the Biscuits are scheduled to counter with RHP Jeff Niemann(1-4, 2.93 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 103.9-FM exclusively at Riverwalk Stadium.

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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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 7-5 in shutouts.
* The Braves fall to 0-5 on Wednesday home games.
* The Braves fall to 4-56 when trailing after eight innings.
* The Braves fall to 16-41 when their opponent scores first.
* The Braves fall to 10-36 when scoring two or fewer runs.
* The Braves fall to 4-5 on the last game of a homestand.
* The Braves fall to 10-11 on the last game of a series.

HIT STREAKS (3 games or more):
* Brandon Jones - 8 games… (11-34, .324)
* Luis Hernandez - 6 games… (11-24, .458)
* Jarrod Saltalamacchia - 7 games... (13-25, .520)

TRANSACTIONS:
*None Today.

by
Bryan Eubank