Barons Finally Solve Braves: L, 6-4

It took the Birmingham Barons 10 games to finally pick up their first victory over the Southern League Leading Mississippi Braves as they came from a 3-0 deficit to halt a 9-game losing streak to the Braves. An announced crowd of 3.979 at Regions Park. The Braves (27-13) held onto thei lead in the South Division of 6 games over the Suns and Biscuits. The Barons (18-22) ended a four game skid to move to 9 games behind the Braves.

The Braves started their scoring in the 1st inning as Matt Esquivel belted his League Leading 11th Homerun and 36th RBI on a shot to straight away center field. He followed that with an RBI double to bring in Brandon Jones as he picked up his 2nd 4 RBI game of the season. Carl Loadenthal had his 20-game hitting streak come to an end with a 0-for-3 performance.

Braves starter Kelvin Villa (3-2, 5.26 ERA) was staked to a 3-0 lead but gave up 4 runs over the first two innings to let the Barons back in the ballgame. He settled down retiring 10 of the last 12 batters he faced. Charlie Morton relieved Villa and allowed a run on two hits in the 6th. A rain delay of about 30 minutes didn't slow him down as he struck out the first batter after the game resumed. Zach Schreiber tossed the 9th inning as he gave up a leadoff double to Donny Lucy who then scored on a sacrifice fly by Jason Bourgeois. The Braves ninth inning rally fell short as J.C. Holt walked to lead off the frame. Brandon Jones then singled him over to second base before Matt Esquivel flew out to the wall in dead center for the second out and Greg Creek flew out to the warning track in left to end the game.

The Braves finished 4-for-16 with runners in scoring position while the Barons finished 3-for-8 in the same category. The Braves continued to get chances but just couldn't capitalize on them.

Matt Esquivel was the Braves Player of the Game as he launched his 11th homerun of the season along with an RBI double to lift his total to 37 on the season (one shy of his total last year - 68 games). He drove in all 4 runs for the Braves.

The Braves will start up a 5-game homestand in Pearl, Mississippi at Trustmark Park as they take on the Tennessee Smokies, the AA Affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, in the First Game of their Southern League Series. The Braves On Deck Circle presented by Wendy's will start things off at 6:05pm (CT). The First Pitch will follow at 7:05pm (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Matt Harrison (4-1, 3.02 ERA) to the hill in search of his league best fifth win, while the Smokies will counter with RHP Justin Berg (1-2, 6.43 ERA) who is looking for his second victory. Make sure you take your radio to the game and tune to the exclusive Trustmark Park 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: 2:35 (:30 delay)--- ATTENDANCE: 5,665

BRAVES BITES:
* The Braves ifall to 8-3 in day games.
* The Braves fall to 15-10 on the road.
* The Braves fall to 21-8 when scoring first.
* The Braves fall to 16-6 when hitting a homerun.
* The Braves fall to 18-5 when scoring four or more runs.
* The Braves registered 5 more strikeouts on the mound.(Performance Sports Academy K's for Kids Total: $291 to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital)

ACTIVE HIT STREAKS (2 games or more):
* J.C. Holt - 7 games - (10-29, .345)
* Greg Creek - 2 games - (2-10, .200)
* Mark Jurich - 4 games - (7-17, .412)
* Matt Esquivel - 5 games - (9-21, .429)
* Clint Sammons - 2 games - (4-9, .444)
* Brandon Jones - 2 games - (4-10, .400)
* Brent Lillibridge - 3 games - (5-14, .357)

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* Carl Loadenthal - 20 games - (29-78, .372)

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED:
* Ray Serrano (0-15) - 2 inning double

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS:
* Van Pope (0-8)
* Mike Rozema (0-10)
* Fernando Lunar (0-11) - (DL)

TRANSACTIONS:
* NONE

(Players listed in Italics did not play in this game)

by
Bryan Eubank