D-Jaxx Win Ugly Game 4: L, 9-5

The Braves and D-Jaxx looked a lot like the weather Thursday night at Trustmark Park...UGLY. The two teams combined to commit 8 errors as the Diamond Jaxx won the error-prone game 9-5 over the Braves in front of an announced crowd of 3,196 at Trustmark Park. The Braves (22-12) had their lead in the South Division reduced to 2 games over the Jacksonville Suns. The Diamond Jaxx (16-18) moved into sole possession of second place, a game behind the Tennessee Smokies in the North Division.

Braves starter Dan Smith (3-2, 2.33 ERA) had one of his worst outings as he allowed a season-high 6 walks while giving up 3 runs (only one earned). In fact of the 9 D-Jaxx runs only 3 were earned. Charlie Morton and Michael Nix gave up a combined 6 runs (2 earned) in their 2 1/3 innings of work. Brad Nelson worked the final 1 2/3 to keep the team ERA at 3.00 - they remained in first place in the Southern League ahead of Birmingham - 3.23 ERA.

Mark Jurich was the Braves Player of the Game as he belted his 1st Homerun of the year while driving in a season-high 4 RBIs while finishing 2-for-4 at the plate. Carl Loadenthal extended his hitting streak to a team-high 15 games with a 4th inning leadoff single. He finished 2-for-4. J.C. Holt made his return to the Braves and went 2-for-4 as well. The big problem was the heart of the order as Brandon Jones, Matt Esquivel and Greg Creek finished the night 0-for-12 at the plate.

West Tennessee's Jeff Frazier extended his hitting streak to a season-high and Southern League best 17 games. The top two in their order finished 7-for-11 with 5 runs scored.

The Braves will wrap up a 5-game homestand in Pearl, Mississippi at Trustmark Park as they take on the West Tennessee Diamon Jaxx, the AA Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, in the Final Game of their Southern League Series. The Braves On Deck Circle presented by Wendy's start things off at 6:05pm. The First Pitch will follow at 7:05pm (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Kelvin Villa (2-2, 5.74 ERA) to the hill still in search of his third win, while the Diamond Jaxx will counter with RHP Joe Woerman (0-0, 4.91 ERA) who is still looking for his elusive first 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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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: 3:08 --- ATTENDANCE: 3,196

BRAVES BITES:
* The Braves fall to 15-10 in night games.
* The Braves fall to 5-5 when their opponent scores first.
* The Braves fall to 11-3 at Trustmark Park.
* The Braves fall to 15-4 when scoring four or more runs.
* The Braves fall to 15-5 when hitting a homerun.
* The Braves fall to 19-3 when leading after seven innings.
* The Braves registered 4 more strikeout on the mound.(Performance Sports Academy K's for Kids Total: $239 to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital)

ACTIVE HIT STREAKS (2 games or more):
* Carl Loadenthal - 15 games - (23-59, .390)
* Diory Hernandez - 2 games - (4-6, .667)
* Brent Lillibridge - 2 games - (4-8, .500)

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* Greg Creek - 4 games - (5-14, .357)
* Matt Esquivel - 2 games - (3-6, .500)
* Brandon Jones - 2 games - (3-7, .429)

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED
* Mark Jurich (0-5) - 2nd Inning Homerun

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS (More than 0-3)
* Josh Burrus (0-6)
* Matt Esquivel (0-4)
* Clint Sammons (0-8)
* Brandon Jones (0-5)
* Van Pope (0-8) - DNP
* Ray Serrano (0-7) - DNP
* Fernando Lunar (0-11) - (DL)


TRANSACTIONS:
* J.C. Holt activated from the Disabled List.

by
Bryan Eubank