D-Jaxx End Braves Win Streak: L, 9-1

The Diamond Jaxx used three first inning doubles to take their first lead of their Southern League series with the Braves and they never looked back in their 9-1 win Wednesday night in front of an announced crowd of 824 at Pringles Park.

Francisely Bueno (0-1, 11.57 ERA) was making his first start of the season and he failed to make it out of the 3rd inning after tossing 56 pitches in just 2 1/3 innings of work while giving up 3 runs on five hits. The Braves bullpen, which had been solid all season, fell apart as Jose Ascanio gave up 6 runs on 5 hits as their team ERA rose to 2.21. Charlie Morton and Joe Winkelsas tossed the final 4 innings in scoreless fashion while striking out four and allowing 3 hits and 3 walks.

The Braves (9-4) scored first for the 11th time this season as they loaded the bases with two out before Josh Burrus picked up a walk to score the first run. Van Pope's struggles continued as he grounded into a fielder's choice to end the 1st inning and hit into a double play to end the 6th. He is now 0-for-24 in his last 6 ballgames. The D-Jaxx (5-8) got at least one base hit from all 9 batters in the lineup and RBIs from all but two as they ended a 3-game losing streak in the process. They also finished 7-for-16 with runners in scoring position, while the Braves went 0-for-10 in that same category.

The lone highlights for the Braves were Greg Creek and Jarrod Saltalamacchia picking up 2 hits a piece in the loss. The Braves stayed at #2 in the Southern League South standings with Birmingham's 6-4 loss over Montgomery. The Braves have still won 9 of their last 12 games on the early schedule and will have two more chances to try and take their third straight series of the year.

The Braves will continue their five game set in Jackson, Tennessee at Pringles Park as they take on the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, the AA Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, in Game Four of the series. The Braves On Deck Circle presented by Wendy's will start things off at 6:05pm, with the First Pitch to follow at 7:05pm (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Dan Smith (1-1, 0.90 ERA) to the hill for his third start of the year, while the D-Jaxx will counter with RHP Doug Fister (1-0, 3.00 ERA) also in his third start of the season. If you're headed to or are already in Jackson, TN then take your radio and tune to 104.3-FM to hear the Braves version of the broadcast.


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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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: 2:54 --- ATTENDANCE: 824

BRAVES BITES:
* The Braves fall to 8-3 when scoring first.
* The Braves have won 9 of their last 12 games.
* The Braves fall to 1-1 when allowing a homerun.
* The Braves are now 3-for-23 with runners in scoring position in the series as they failed tonight going 0-for-10 in that category.
* The Braves registered 6 more strikeouts on the mound.(Performance Sports Academy K's for Kids Total: $109 to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital)

ACTIVE HIT STREAKS (3 games or more):
* Jarrod Saltalamacchia - 3 games - (5-12, .417)
* Mark Jurich - 3 games - (3-8, .375)

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* Carl Loadenthal - 3 games - (5-15, .333)
* Matt Esquivel - 4 games - (6-16, .375)

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED
* NONE

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS (More than 0-4)
* Jonathan Schuerholz (0-6)
* Brent Lillibridge (0-12)
* Van Pope (0-24)

TRANSACTIONS:
* NONE

by
Bryan Eubank