Braves Knock Smokies From First: W, 4-3

For the second night in a row Brandon Jones drove in the winning run with
a single to right field as the Braves knocked off the Smokies 4-3 in Game
2 of their Southern League Series. With the win, the Braves (29-13)
knocked the Smokies (20-20) from 1st place in the North Division in front
of a Friday night crowd of 4,731 at Trustmark Park. The Braves (29-13)
held onto their lead in the South Division of 6 games over the Suns. The
Braves are now 14-3 at Trustmark Park this season.

The Braves started their scoring in the 1st inning as Tennessee was shaky
defensively. With two outs and runners at the corners, Mark Jurich flew
out harmlessly to center field. Instead of being called out, Jurich was
awarded first base due to catcher's interference loading the bases for
Carl Loadenthal. Loadenthal then singled to short bringing Lillibridge and
a hustling Esquivel in to score the Braves first two runs of the game. The
Braves have now outscored their opponents 32-11 in the 1st inning.

Just like in Game 1 the Braves starter - Jo-Jo Reyes (4-1, 3.80 ERA) was
not his usual self as he allowed 7 walks (season high) and only struck out
four. He did finish 2-for-2 at the plate with the first RBI for a Braves
pitcher this season, but he failed to make it out of the 4th inning. The
Braves bullpen was sensational (just like in Game 1) as Brad Nelson tossed
4 scoreless innings of relief to pick up his 2nd win while Jose Ascanio
tossed two innings for his second save of the season. The bullpen retired
14 of the final 18 batters of the game. The Braves finished with 11 hits
and stranded 14 base-runners while going 3-for-10 with runners in scoring
position while the Smokies finished 1-for-10 in the same category.

Brad Nelson was the Braves Player of the Game as he picked up his second
win of the season. He came in with a runner on in the 4th inning and gave
up a bunt single to Cates followed by a walk to Fox to load the bases. The
run scored (charged to Reyes) on a sacrifice fly by Casey McGehee. Nelson
allowed only two hits the rest of the way in his final 3 innings of work.

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 Third 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 RHP Lance Cormier (0-0, 0.00 ERA) to the hill in a Major League
Rehab Start, while the Smokies will counter with League ERA Leader and
former Ole Miss Rebel RHP Mark Holliman (5-1, 1.37 ERA) who is looking for
his league best sixth victory.

GAME TIME: 3:07 --- ATTENDANCE: 4,731

BRAVES BITES:
* The Braves improve to 14-3 at home.
* The Braves improve to 21-10 in night games.
* The Braves improve to 10-2 in one-run games.
* The Braves improve to 23-8 when scoring first.
* The Braves improve to 24-0 when leading after 8 innings.
* The Braves improve to 23-7 when not allowing a homerun.
* The Braves improve to 19-5 when scoring four or more runs.