Braves Make History With Win: W, 5-1

The Braves used a five-run, six hit first inning to coast to a 5-1 series clinching win over the Huntsville Stars Monday night in front of an announced crowd of 876 at Joe Davis Stadium. Lee Hyde (1-0, 1.80 ERA) was added to the roster today to replace Francisely Bueno and he didn't disappoint as he tossed five innings of two-hit baseball allowing just a 3rd inning run to Huntsville en route to his first AA win in his first AA appearance. This marks the first time the Braves have won their opening series in their brief 3-year history.

The Braves bats were explosive in the first as JC Holt got it started with an infield single. Brent Lillibridge drove him around with a double down the left field line. After Lillibridge stole second during Brandon Jones' strikeout, Jarrod Saltalamacchia punched a single up the middle to make it 3-0. Then Esquivel launched the first pitch he saw over all three fences down the left field line for the team's first homer of the season. Greg Creek capped the scoring as he lifted an RBI double to the right field alley to score Van Pope. The Braves have now outscored their opponents 11-1 in the first inning.

Former Ranger farmhand Sam Narron (0-1, 11.25 ERA), settled down after the first inning but the damage had been done. The Braves bullpen was lights out as Basner, Schreiber and Devine combined to toss four hitless innings of scoreless relief.

The Braves will start up a five game set in Pearl, Mississippi at Trustmark Park as they take on the Carolina Mudcats, the AA Affiliate of the Florida Marlins, in the first game of the series. The Braves On Deck Circle presented by Wendy's will start things off at 6:05pm and the First Pitch will follow at 7:05 PM (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Matt Harrison (0-0, 1.80 ERA) to the hill, while the Mudcats will counter with RHP Jesus Delgado (1-0, 1.80 ERA).

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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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 improve to 3-2 when scoring first.
* All eight position players picked up a hit tonight.
* The Braves scored first in all five games in the series.
* The Braves finished 3-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
* The Braves have now scored in the first inning four straight games.
* The Braves registered 9 more strikeouts on the mound.(Performance Sports Academy K's for Kids Total: $37 to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital)

ACTIVE HIT STREAKS (3 games or more):
* Brent Lillibridge - 5 games - (7-21, .333)
* Brandon Jones - 5 games - (7-21, .333)
* Matt Esquivel - 4 games - (6-16, .375)
* Greg Creek - 3 games - (3-9, .333)
* Van Pope - 5 games - (5-20, .250)
* JC Holt - 4 games - (9-19, .474)


HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* NONE

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED:
* NONE

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS (More than 0-4):
* Mark Jurich (0-11)

TRANSACTIONS:
* NONE

by
Bryan Eubank