Braves Run Streak to Six Straight, W, 8-2

Brandon Jones' first ever two-homerun night lifted the Braves to an 8-2 victory over the Mobile BayBears in front of a Friday night crowd of 4,490 at Hank Aaron Stadium. The Braves (16-5) increased their win streak to six straight games and are now leading the Barons by 3.5 games in the South Division.

The Braves scored first in their 16th game this season as Greg Creek scored from first on a ball Van Pope drilled under the legs of third baseman, Mark Reynolds. Pope wound up at second on the error. Brandon Jones' first homer of the night came in the next frame as he drilled an 0-2 pitch over the right-center field fence. The Braves added to the lead with a bases-loaded Fielder's Choice RBI by Brent Lillibridge. Then Jones finished off Mobile (10-11) with his 3-run shot which screamed over the right field wall.

Matt Harrison (3-0, 2.45 ERA) took advantage of the offense from the Braves by limiting the BayBears to just 2 hits in his 6 innings of work. He also struck out 3 while giving up 2 walks. Charlie Morton gave up a walk and a double to start the 7th. The first run came into score on a wild pitch while the second run scored on a RBI groundout by Chris Rahl. Michael Nix tossed the final two innings of scoreless relief. He did allow two hits and a walk in the 9th, but induced a double play and caught Wilkin Castillo looking with the bases loaded to end the game. The Braves lowered their team ERA down to a Southern League Leading 2.26.

Chris Kinsey (0-3, 6.12 ERA) gave up the two homeruns to Jones but retired the final 5 batters he faced after that to end his night. Matt Wilkinson gave up the two-run single to Diory Hernandez in the 8th to give the Braves back their 6-run lead.

Brandon Jones was the Player of the Game as he finished the game 2-for-4 with 2 Runs scored and 4 RBIs. He is now tied with Matt Esquivel for the team lead in RBIs (16). Carl Loadenthal, Greg Creek and Diory Hernandez also had two-hit nights. Hernandez raised his batting average to a team-best .359. Jarrod Saltalamacchia's team high hit streak ended at 9 games with an 0-for-5 performance.

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 Second Game of their Southern League Series. The Braves On Deck Circle presented by Wendy's will start things off at 6:05pm, while the First Pitch will follow at 7:05pm (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Jo-Jo Reyes (1-0, 1.69 ERA) to the hill in search of his second win, while the BayBears will counter with RHP Esmerling Vasquez (1-2, 4.09 ERA) who is seeking his second 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: 2:50 --- ATTENDANCE: 4,490

BRAVES BITES:
* The Braves improved to 7-4 on the road.
* The Braves improved to 12-4 when scoring first.
* The Braves improved to 4-1 in the series opener.
* The Braves improved to 9-1 when hitting a homerun.
* The Braves improved to 2-1 in the first game of a road trip.
* The Braves improved to 13-0 when leading after eight innings.
* The Braves registered 6 more strikeouts on the mound.(Performance Sports Academy K's for Kids Total: $169 to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital)

ACTIVE HIT STREAKS (3 games or more):
* Carl Loadenthal - 3 games - (6-11, .545)
* Diory Hernandez - 3 games - (5-10, .500)

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* Jarrod Saltalamacchia - 9 games - (14-34, .412) (Team High)

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED
* NONE

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS (More than 0-4)
* Jonathan Schuerholz (0-8)
* Fernando Lunar (0-11) - Did Not Play
* Matt Esquivel (0-8)
* Josh Burrus (0-9) - Did Not Bat

TRANSACTIONS:
* RHP Joe Winkelsas promoted to AAA Richmond
* RHP Brad Nelson promoted to AA Mississippi from A Myrtle Beach

by
Bryan Eubank