Braves Bamboozled by Smokies: L, 6-1

Mark Holliman dominated the Braves on a night when Lance Cormier made a Major League Rehab appearance as the Smokies won 6-1 in Game 3 of their Southern League Series in front of 4,940 at Trustmark Park. With the loss the Braves (29-14) had their lead in the South Division fall to just 5 games over the Suns. The Braves are now 14-4 at Trustmark Park this season.

Mark Holliman (6-1, 1.17 ERA) carried a no-hitter into the 6th inning before Francisely Bueno broke it up with a single up the middle. There was controversy as Bueno was nearly retired on a 1-2 pitch as the home plate umpire started his strike out motion but halted it at the halfway point. Holliman allowed a lead off walk to J.C. Holt and then proceeded to retire the next 16 batters before the Bueno single. The Braves avoided being shutout as they got an RBI double from Brandon Jones in the 9th scoring Lillibridge who had reached on an error.

Brandon Jones was the Braves Player of the Game as he picked up the only run producing hit in the 9th inning off of reliever Geoffrey Jones.

The Braves will continue 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 Fourth Game of their Southern League Series. The Braves On Deck Circle presented by Wendy's will start things off at 12:05pm (CT). The First Pitch will follow at 1:05pm (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Dan Smith (4-2, 1.97 ERA) to the hill in search of his 5th win, while the Smokies will counter with RHP Donny Veal (2-4, 5.84 ERA) who is looking for his third 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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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: 2:13 --- ATTENDANCE: 4,940

BRAVES BITES:
* The Braves fall to 14-4 at home.
* The Braves fall to 21-11 in night games.
* The Braves fall to 6-6 when their opponenet scores 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):
* Brandon Jones - 5 games - (9-25, .360)

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* J.C. Holt - 9 games - (14-38, .368)
* Greg Creek - 3 games - (3-14, .214)
* Carl Loadenthal - 2 games - (3-8, .375)
* Brent Lillibridge - 5 games - (8-22, .364)

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED:
* Van Pope (0-10) - 8th inning single

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS:
* Matt Esquivel - (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