Biscuits Blank Braves: L, 4-0

Evan Longoria took a day off on Friday night and apparently it was exactly what the doctor ordered as he drove in 3 Saturday night to single-handedly defeat the Braves 4-0 in front of the 4th largest crowd at Riverwalk Stadium of 7,354. The Biscuits also honored their 1 millionth fan as the Biscuits (14-15) forced the Rubber Match Sunday afternoon in Montgomery. The Braves (20-9) still remain 5 games ahead of the Barons and Suns in the South Division Standings. It was just the second time the Braves have been shutout this season.

Braves starter Dan Smith (3-2, 2.41 ERA) tossed three perfect innings before giving up two runs on three hits in the 4th inning. He allowed another run in the 5th inning on an RBI Fielder's Choice hit into by Brooks Badeaux with the bases loaded.
The Braves ERA rose slightly to 2.81 but they still remain in first in the Southern League ahead of Birmingham - 2.91 ERA. The Braves will have one more chance to win their 6th straight series. They finally lost their second game in a row this season.

Clint Sammons was the Braves Player of the Game as he collected his first two AA hits, finishing 2-for-4 on the night. Carl Loadenthal extended his hitting streak to a team-high 10 games.

The Braves will wrap up a ten-day road trip in Montgomery, Alabama at Riverwalk Stadium as they take on the Montgomery Biscuits, the AA Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, in the Final Game of their Southern League Series. The Braves On Deck Circle presented by Wendy's will start things off at 1:05pm (CT), while the First Pitch will follow at 2:05pm (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Kelvin Villa (2-1, 4.18 ERA) to the hill still in search of his third win, while the Biscuits will counter with RHP Jon Barratt(0-0, 0.00 ERA) who joins the Biscuits from extended Srping Training. 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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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: 2:07 --- ATTENDANCE: 7,354

BRAVES BITES:
* The Braves fall to 11-8 on the road.
* Matt Esquivel had his 5-game RBI streak end.
* The Braves fall to 5-3 when their opponenet scores first.
* The Braves registered 4 more strikeout on the mound.(Performance Sports Academy K's for Kids Total: $213 to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital)

ACTIVE HIT STREAKS (2 games or more):
* Josh Burrus - 3 games - (4-10, .400)
* Mike Rozema - 2 games - (2-6, .333) - DNP
* Ray Serrano - 2 games - (2-8, .250) - DNP
* Brandon Jones - 4 games - (5-17, .294)
* Carl Loadenthal - 10 games - (15-38, .395)

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* Greg Creek - 6 games - (10-20, .500)
* Matt Esquivel - 7 games - (11-24, .458)

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED
* Clint Sammons (0-5) - 5th inning single

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS (More than 0-3)
* Van Pope (0-11)
* Fernando Lunar (0-11) - Did Not Play (DL)

TRANSACTIONS:
* NONE

by
Bryan Eubank