BayBears End Braves Streak: L, 6-3

Cesar Nicolas nearly beat the Braves all by himself as he drove in four runs while collecting three hits helping end the Braves season-high 6-game win streak in front of an announced crowd of 5,136 at Hank Aaron Stadium. The Braves (16-6) had their lead over the Barons decrease to 2 1/2 games in the South Division as the Barons beat the Stars for the third straight time at Regions Park tonight.

The Braves scored first in their 17th game this season as Carl Loadenthal reached second base on an error by Ronnie Merrill, was moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Brent Liillibridge and then scored on an RBI groundout by Brandon Jones. The lead was short lived as Cesar Nicholas belted his 2nd Homerun of the season to tie the game in the 2nd frame. The BayBears (11-11) added to their lead with a 3-run 4th inning keyed by a Nicholas two-run single. Nicholas added his final RBI in the 6th by driving in Josh Ford to make it 5-1. The BayBears capped their scoring in the 7th with a sacrifice fly by Mark Reynolds. The Braves tried a 9th inning comeback as Van Pope drove in Saltalamacchia and Esquivel to cut the lead in half. But then Diory Hernandez and pinch-hitter Mark Jurich bounced out to short to end the game.

Jo-Jo Reyes (1-1, 3.04 ERA) suffered his first loss of the season as did the Braves when he pitches. Jose Ascanio tossed 1 2/3 innings giving up just a single run on one hit and two walks. Zach Schreiber tossed a perfect 8th inning in relief as well. The Braves ERA rose to 2.39 and now they are second in the Southern League behind Birmingham - 2.38 ERA.

Esmerling Vasquez (2-2, 3.21 ERA) was brilliant keeping the Braves offense off balance all night while striking out 5 and retiring 11 in a row at one point.

Matt Esquivel was the Braves Player of the Game as he finished the game 2-for-3 and ended an 0-for-11 slump in the process. Diory Hernandez had his third straight 2-hit night and raised his batting average to a team-best .372.

The Braves will continue a ten-day road trip with a five game set in Mobile, Alabama at Hank Aaron Stadium as they take on the Mobile BayBears, the AA Affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, in the Third Game of their Southern League Series. The Braves On Deck Circle presented by Wendy's will start things off at 1:05pm, while the First Pitch will follow at 2:05pm (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Francisely Bueno (1-1, 3.38 ERA) to the hill in search of his second win, while the BayBears will counter with RHP Jonthan Castellanos (2-2, 2.70 ERA) who is seeking his third victory as well. Make sure you take your radio to the game and tune to the exclusive Hank Aaron Stadium frequency - 104.3-FM.

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.

GAME TIME: 2:49 --- ATTENDANCE: 5,136

BRAVES BITES:
* The Braves fell to 7-5 on the road.
* The Braves fell to 12-5 when scoring first.
* The Braves fell to 3-3 when allowing a homerun.
* The Braves fell to 1-5 when trailing after eight innings.
* The Braves registered 8 more strikeouts on the mound.(Performance Sports Academy K's for Kids Total: $177 to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital)

ACTIVE HIT STREAKS (3 games or more):
* Carl Loadenthal - 4 games - (7-15, .467)
* Diory Hernandez - 4 games - (7-14, .500)

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* NONE

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED
* Matt Esquivel (0-11 - (2-3, Run, Walk)

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS (More than 0-4)
* Jonathan Schuerholz (0-8) - Did Not Play
* Fernando Lunar (0-11) - Did Not Play
* Josh Burrus (0-10) - Pinch Hit in the 8th

TRANSACTIONS:
* NONE

by
Bryan Eubank