Braves Give One Away to Smokies: L, 8-5

The Braves squandered a 4-0 lead as the Smokies came from behind to defeat the Braves 8-5 and and even up their Southern League Series in front of 2,679 at Trustmark Park. With the loss the Braves (29-15) had their lead in the South Division remain at 5 games over the Suns and Biscuits. The Braves are now 14-5 at Trustmark Park this season.

Braves starter Dan Smith (4-2, 1.94 ERA) was the victim of a poor bullpen performance for the second time this season. Charlie Morton was charged with the blown save and loss as he gave up a 3-run triple to Josh Kroeger and RBI singles to Casey McGehee and Jose Cortes in the five-run 7th inning.

The Braves did have some offense to report as Ray Serrano and Mike Rozema belted their first home runs of the season in the 2nd and 8th innings respectively. The biggest blow after the 5-run 7th was in the 8th as Brandon Jones and Matt Esquivel were retired on two pitches with runners at 1st and 2nd with one out. J.C. Holt was also productive at the plate as he finished 2-for-3 but reached base all 5 times with two singles a fielder's choice and two walks.

Dan Smith was the Braves Player of the Game as he lasted 5 1/3 innings, giving up one run while limiting the Smokies to 4 hits on a season high 5 walks and 6 strikeouts.

The Braves will wrap 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 rubber match series finale of their Southern League Series. The Braves On Deck Circle presented by Wendy's will air briefly at 7:00pm (CT) due to the Rebel Yell Hotline. The First Pitch will follow at 7:05pm (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Kelvin Villa (3-2, 5.26 ERA) to the hill in search of his 4th win, while the Smokies will counter with RHP Sean Gallagher (5-2, 3.50 ERA) who is looking for his league-tying sixth 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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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: 3:28 (longest 9 inning game of season) --- ATTENDANCE: 2,679

BRAVES BITES:
* The Braves fall to 14-5 at home.
* The Braves fall to 8-4 in day games.
* The Braves fall to 23-9 when scoring first.
* The Braves registered 6 more strikeouts on the mound.(Performance Sports Academy K's for Kids Total: $313 to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital)

ACTIVE HIT STREAKS (2 games or more):
* Ray Serrano - 2 games (2-7, .286)

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* Brandon Jones - 5 games - (9-25, .360)

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED:
* Matt Esquivel - (0-6) - 1st inning RBI single
* Greg Creek - (0-7) - 3rd inning single
* Brent Lillibridge - (0-6) - 2nd inning single

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS:
* Carl Loadenthal (0-6)
* Clint Sammons (0-10)
* Fernando Lunar (0-11) - (DL)

TRANSACTIONS:
* NONE.

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

by
Bryan Eubank