Braves Streak Stops at Three: L, 2-0

Gaby Hernandez (1-1, 2.70 ERA) and two Mudcat relievers combined to throw a four-hit shutout to help Carolina halt a six-game losing streak in front of an announced Thirsty Thursday crowd of 2,459 at Trustmark Park.

The Mudcats scored their first run a somewhat controversial inning-ending play. With runners at the corners and Ryan Bear at the plate, Rex Rundgren attempted to steal second while Bear tried to check his swing on an 0-2 pitch. During the appeal and throw down to second by Saltalamacchia, Jonny Raburn came home to score and Rundgren was tagged out by JC Holt. An appeal on the check swing followed, and the Braves were denied the call as the run held up.

Carolina added an insurance run in the 9th after Frank Moore smoked a single to center that Josh Burrus misplayed and allowed to get by him. Moore advanced to third and came home to score on a Sac Fly by Jai Miller. The Braves got a double by Saltalamacchia to lead off the bottom of the 9th but Kurt Koehler retired the final three batters in order to secure his first save.

The blanking by Carolina marked the first time that the Braves failed to score first in a game and the first time the Braves have been shut out since August 22, 2006.

The Braves will continue 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 fourth game of the 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 Kelvin Villa (0-1, 9.00 ERA) to the hill, while the Mudcats will counter with LHP Manu Olivera (0-0, 6.75 ERA). The game can be heard locally on SuperSport 930 (WSFZ-AM-930) or exclusively at Trustmark Park on 104.3FM.

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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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: 2:40 --- ATTENDANCE: 2,459

BRAVES BITES:
* The Braves fell to 0-1 when their opponent scores first.
* The Braves finished 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
* The Braves have outscored the Mudcats 15-10 so far in the series.
* The Braves registered 12 more strikeouts on the mound.(Performance Sports Academy K's for Kids Total: $64 to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital)

ACTIVE HIT STREAKS (3 games or more):
* Jarrod Saltalamacchia - 6 games - (9-19, .474)
* JC Holt - 7 games - (13-32, .406)

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* Brent Lillibridge - 7 games - (9-29, .310)
* Brandon Jones - 7 games - (12-29, .414)

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED
* Mark Jurich (0-13)

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS (More than 0-4)
* Matt Esquivel (0-7)
* Josh Burrus (0-6)
* Van Pope (0-7)

TRANSACTIONS:
* Francisely Bueno activated from the temporary inactive list.

by
Bryan Eubank