Braves Shutout Barons Again: W, 7-0

The Braves picked up their second shutout of the Barons this season while winning their 9th straight game over Birmingham, 7-0, in front of an announced crowd of 3.979 at Regions Park. The Braves (27-12) pushed their lead in the South Division up to 6 games over the Jacksonville Suns (largest lead this season). The Barons (17-22) dropped to 10 games behind the Braves. The Braves won 7 of their last 8 since breaking out of a season-long four game losing skid.

Braves starter Dan Smith (4-2, 1.97 ERA) was brilliant as he became the 4th straight starter in this series to make to the 7th inning. He prevented the Barons from getting a runner into scoring position while scattering 5 hits with 3 strikeouts. Brad Nelson tossed the final two innings as he gave up two one-out singles to give the Barons their first chances with a runner in scoring position. He struck out Jeremy Frost looking to end the game.

The Braves started their scoring in the 5th inning as Mark Jurich doubled to start off the inning and later scored on a wild pitch. The big inning came an inning later when the Braves picked up three doubles (Jones, Jurich and Sammons) which helped drive in all four runs in the 6th. The Braves added a run in the 7th as Brent Lillibridge tripled and scored on a wild pitch by Corwin Malone. Greg Creek singled to start the 8th and Clint Sammons brought him in for his 3rd RBI of the night. Carl Loadenthal extended his hitting streak in the 5th inning with an infield single. He has now hit safely in a franchise-high 20 straight games.

The Braves finished 6-for-22 with runners in scoring position while the Barons finished 0-for-2 in the same category.

Dan Smith was the Braves Player of the Game as tossed 7 scoreless innings while retiring seven in a row at one point and scattering 5 hits with 3 strikeouts. Smith lowered his ERA to 1.97 which still ranks him 2nd in the League behind Mark Holliman (1.37 ERA).

The Braves will wrap up a 5-game homestand in Hoover, Alabama at Regions Park as they take on the Birmingham Barons, the AA Affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, in the Final Game of their Southern League Series. The Braves On Deck Circle presented by Wendy's will not air in its entirety but will start at 11:00am (CT). The First Pitch will follow at 11:05am (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Kelvin Villa (3-2, 4.96 ERA) to the hill in search of his fourth win, while the Barons will counter with LHP Wes Whisler (1-4, 3.83 ERA) who is looking for his second victory. Make sure you take your radio to the game and tune to the exclusive Regions Park frequency - 93.1-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: 2:25 --- ATTENDANCE: 3,979

BRAVES BITES:
* The Braves improve to 15-9 on the road.
* The Braves improve to 19-10 in night games.
* The Braves improve to 21-7 when scoring first.
* The Braves improve to 21-6 when not allowing a homerun.
* The Braves improve to 18-4 when scoring four or more runs.
* The Braves improve to 23-0 when leading after eight innings.
* The Braves registered 5 more strikeouts on the mound.(Performance Sports Academy K's for Kids Total: $286 to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital)

ACTIVE HIT STREAKS (2 games or more):
* J.C. Holt - 6 games - (9-26, .346)
* Mark Jurich - 4 games - (7-17, .412)
* Matt Esquivel - 4 games - (7-16, .438)
* Clint Sammons - 2 games - (4-9, .444)
* Brent Lillibridge - 2 games - (4-9, .444)
* Carl Loadenthal - 20 games - (29-78, .372)

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* NONE

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED:
* NONE

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS:
* Mike Rozema (0-7)
* Ray Serrano (0-15)
* Fernando Lunar (0-11) - (DL)

TRANSACTIONS:
* NONE

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

by
Bryan Eubank