Braves Win Slugfest with Smokies: W, 8-7

The Braves outslugged the Tennessee Smokies in Game Four of their 5-game Southern League series knocking off the top team in the Southern League 8-7 in front of an announced Friday night crowd of 5,611 at Smokies Park. The Braves and Smokies combined for 15 runs and 32 hits while newcomer Ivan Terrazas collected his first 4-hit game of the season which was only the third 4-hit game by an M-Brave this season. Terrazas is now batting 6-for-14, .429 since joining the Braves.

The Braves were able to survive Jerry Gil's second straight 5-RBI night as he smoked an opposite field homerun in the bottom of the 9th to bring the Smokies to within one run. Schreiber induced a game-ending fly out to center to Carlos Gonzalez to collect his 19th save of the season. Ross Ohlendorf left the contest with the lead before Matt Elliot (2-1, 5.40 ERA) blew the save and took the loss by giving up four straight hits and two runs in the 8th inning. The only out he recorded was a caught stealing of Onil Joseph.

Arthur Santos (2-3, 1.57 ERA) pitched two innings of relief allowing a run on a high chopper back to him in the 7th that gave the Smokies the lead as Richar hustled all the way around from 2nd base to score on the play. Five different Braves finished with multiple hit nights while the 5-8 hitters combined to go 12-for-20 (.600) with 7 RBIs. Every Brave starter including starting pitcher Matt Harrison chipped in with a base hit tonight.

The Braves will wrap 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 finale. First Pitch is set for 6:15 PM (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Dan Smith (3-6, 3.10 ERA) to the hill, while the Smokies are scheduled to counter with RHP Steven Jackson (7-9, 2.78 ERA). The Braves On Deck Circle powered by Nextel will start things off at 5:15pm (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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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:
* Every Braves starter had at least one hit.
* The Braves improve to 11-9 on Friday games.
* The Braves improve to 19-21 in one-run games.
* The Braves improve to 30-18 in errorless games.
* The Braves improve to 40-0 when leading after eight innings.
* The Braves improve to 5-0 when scoring in 5 or more innings.
* The Braves improve to 36-19 when scoring four or more runs.
* The Braves improve to 17-47 when their opponenet scores first.
* Michael Rosamond had just his 2nd three-hit game of the season.
* Ivan Terrazas matched Escobar's record with 3 doubles in a single game.
* Terrazas also had his first 4-hit game of the season, and only the third 4-hit game by the Braves this season.

HIT STREAKS (3 games or more):
* Ray Serrano - 5 games - (7-22, .318)

HIT STREAKS ENDED: * NONE *

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED:
* Onil Joseph ended an 0-5 slump with a 2nd inning single.
* Josh Burrus ended an 0-7 skid with a 5th inning RBI single.

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS (More than 0-4):
* Luis Hernandez - 0-8

TRANSACTIONS:
* RHP Ryan Basner promoted to AAA Richmond
* RHP David Watkins promoted to AA Mississippi from High A Myrtle Beach

by
Bryan Eubank