Stars K Braves and Even Series: L, 4-1

The Huntsville Stars struck out 16 Braves and used a 4-run second inning to even up their Southern League series at 2 games apiece in front of an announced crowd of 775 at Joe Davis Stadium. Manny Parra (1-0, 1.80 ERA) struck out 7 in his 5 innings of work and drove in 2 runs to lead the Stars.

After manufacturing a run in the 1st the Braves were held off the scoreboard and finished 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Schuerholz drew a lead off walk, stole second, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Lillibridge and scored on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Jones. Schuerholz finished 2-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base.

Lefty Kelvin Villa (0-1, 9.00 ERA), making his first AA start, had one bad inning (2nd) in which he gave up 4 runs on three hits and four walks and tossed 40 pitches. The Braves bullpen (Winkelsas, Ascanio) kept the Braves in the game tossing 4 scoreless innings of relief.

The Stars bullpen was equally as impressive allowing just one hit while striking out 9 including Grant Balfour who struck out 5 of the 6 batters he faced for his 1st save of the season.

The Braves will wrap up their five game set in Huntsville, Alabama at Joe Davis Stadium as they take on the Huntsville Stars, the AA Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, in the final game of the series. The Braves On Deck Circle presented by Wendy's will not air due to the Rebel Yell Hotline (6:00pm) but the First Pitch will follow at 7:05 PM (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Francisely Bueno (0-0, 0.00 ERA) to the hill, while the Stars will counter with LHP Sam Narron (0-0, 0.00 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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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 fall to 2-2 when scoring first.
* The Braves 6-through-9 batters combined to go 0-12.
* The Braves have scored first in all four games in the series.
* The Braves finished 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
* The Braves have now scored in the first inning three straight games.
* The Braves registered 4 more strikeouts on the mound.(Performance Sports Academy K's for Kids Total: $28 to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital)

ACTIVE HIT STREAKS (3 games or more):
* Brent Lillibridge - 4 games - (5-16, .313)
* Brandon Jones - 4 games - (6-17, .353)
* Matt Esquivel - 4 games - (5-12, .417)
* Van Pope - 4 games - (4-16, .250)
* JC Holt - 3 games - (7-14, .500)


HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* NONE

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED:
* NONE

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

TRANSACTIONS:
* NONE

by
Bryan Eubank