Braves Batter Biscuits Again: W, 7-4

Matt Esquivel launched his League-Leading 7th Homerun as the Braves dealt the Biscuits their fourth straight loss in front of 7,010 screaming fans at Riverwalk Stadium. The 7-4 win was the Braves 3rd straight win and their 20th on the season. The Braves (20-7) picked up another half game over the Barons and Suns as they both are scheduled to play tonight.

Jo-Jo Reyes (2-1, 3.69 ERA) threw 3 hitless innings before the Biscuits picked up 4 hits in their three-run 4th inning. He gave up one more run in the 5th before retiring the final two batters he faced. Brad Nelson tossed two perfect innings of relief while Zach Schreiber retired 3 straight after a lead-off walk in the 8th. Joey Devine gave up a hit to the Biscuit in the 9th which was their first since the 5th inning. He retired the final two batters to notch his League-Leading 7th save of the season and 6th straight overall. The Braves ERA rose slightly to 2.63 and they remain in first in the Southern League ahead of Birmingham - 2.75 ERA.

The Biscuits (12-15) gave up runs in each of the first four innings and could never dig out of the hole. Biscuits starter Derek Feldkamp (0-4, 5.16 ERA) was denied his first win of the season as he allowed 6 runs on 6 hits through 4 innings. It was the second straight game the Braves chased the starter before the 5th inning. The Biscuits ran through 3 more relievers who allowed just the run in the 8th.

Ray Serrano was the Braves Player of the Game as he finished the game with a double and three runs scored from the 9th spot in the batting order. The Braves registered 7 more stolen bases which was 2 shy of their team record 9 set in Mobile on Tuesday.

Matt Esquivel extended his RBI streak to 5 straight games and he is the current League Leader in Homeruns (8 HR), RBIs (24)and Runs Scored (23). The Braves lead the league in ERA (2.63), Shutouts (3), HRs Allowed (10), Opponents Batting Average (.209), Runs Scored (134), Stolen Bases (46).

The Braves will continue a ten-day road trip with a five game set in Montgomery, Alabama at Riverwalk Stadium as they take on the Montgomery Biscuits, the AA Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, in the Third Game of their Southern League Series. The Braves On Deck Circle presented by Wendy's will start things off at 6:05pm (CT), while the First Pitch will follow at 7:05pm (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Francisely Bueno (0-1, 4.15 ERA) to the hill still in search of his second win, while the Biscuits will counter with RHP Chris Mason (3-0, 1.26 ERA) who is looking to stay perfect with his fourth victory. 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: 2:56 --- ATTENDANCE: 7,010

BRAVES BITES:
* The Braves improve to 11-6 on the road.
* The Braves improve to 15-6 when scoring first.
* The Braves improve to 13-2 when hitting a homerun.
* The Braves improve to 14-1 when scoring 4 or more runs.
* The Braves improve to 17-0 when leading after eight innings.
* The Braves registered 5 more strikeouts on the mound.(Performance Sports Academy K's for Kids Total: $208 to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital)

ACTIVE HIT STREAKS (2 games or more):
* Greg Creek - 5 games - (9-17, .529)
* Josh Burrus - 2 games - (2-7, .286) - DNP
* Mike Rozema - 2 games - (2-6, .333)
* Brandon Jones - 2 games - (3-8, .375)
* Matt Esquivel - 6 games - (10-21, .476)
* Carl Loadenthal - 8 games - (11-30, .367)
* Brent Lillibridge - 2 games - (2-8, .250)

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* Diory Hernandez - 8 games - (13-30, .433)

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED
* NONE

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS (More than 0-4)
* Fernando Lunar (0-11) - Did Not Play

TRANSACTIONS:
* NONE

by
Bryan Eubank