Stars Run Streak to 11: W, 6-5

The Huntsville Stars used a three homerun barrage to win their 11th straight home game and seventh straight overall in front of an announced crowd of 1,012. Despite having nothing to play for, the Braves have made all four games of the series close. They have been decided by a total of five runs, and three have been on-run affairs. The Stars are 21-5 in the month of August.

The Braves rallied twice to take the lead in the game only to see Huntsville come back and tie or take the lead back in the bottom half of each inning. Starter Matt Harrison (3-3, 3.28 ERA) watched his team's two-run lead disappear on Brendan Katin's two-run blast in the bottom of the eighth off of new Brave Ralph Roberts. He then gave up a solo shot to Lou Palmisano which gave the Stars the 6-5 decision. Roberts (0-1, 27.00 ERA) was tagged with a blown save and the loss in his second appearance as a MS Brave. He appeared in one game last year tossing 1 and 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. The Braves have now been outhomered 29-9 in the 6th and 8th innings combined and 105-65 overall.

The Braves left 13 men stranded on base while finishing 5 for 16 with runners in scoring position. Joshua Arteaga gave the Braves their first lead with a two-run double in the 6th and then Yunel Escobar gave the Braves back the lead with a two-out two-run single in the 8th. Escobar now has a team-leading 21 two-out RBIs.

Tim Dillard did not factor in the decision as he scattered 9 hits and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) in his 6 innings of work. Matt Yeatman snuck out the win while Joe Valentine secured his 10th save in 13 chances for the Stars.

The Braves will wrap up a five game set in Huntsville, Alabama at Joe Davis Stadium as they take on the Huntsville Stars, the AA Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, in the series finale. First Pitch is set for 7:05 PM (CT) live from Joe Davis Stadium. The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Dan Smith (3-6, 3.13 ERA) to the hill, while the Stars are scheduled to counter with LHP Manny Parra (2-0, 3.55 ERA). The Braves On Deck Circle powered by Nextel gets everything started off at 6:05pm. Don't forget if you're headed to the game then take your radio and tune to 103.9-FM exclusively at Joe Davis 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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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 outhit the Stars 14-9.
* The Braves fall to 19-25 in one-run games.
* The Braves fall to 21-53 when allowing a homerun.
* The Braves fall to 4-64 when trailing after eight innings.
* The Braves fall to 37-22 when scoring four or more runs.
* The Braves fall to 19-51 when their opponent scores first.

ACTIVE HIT STREAKS (3 games or more):
* Ray Serrano - 5 games - (7-22, .318)
* Josh Burrus - 3 games - (5-13, 385)
*Matt Young - 6 games - (10-27, .370)
* Onil Joseph - 10 games - (19-42, .452)

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* Eddie Perez - 3 games - (3-12, .250)

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED:
* Yunel Escobar ended an 0-5 slump with his 5th inning single.
* Ivan Terrazas ended an 0-10 skid with a 4th inning drag bunt for a hit.
* Joshua Arteaga ended his 0-7 slump with a 3-for-5 performance and 2 doubles.

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS (More than 0-4):

TRANSACTIONS:
* Ralph Roberts was promoted to AA Mississippi from High-A Myrtle Beach.

by
Bryan Eubank