Braves Blister Barons: W, 14-3

The MS Braves put together their biggest inning in franchise history with a nine run 5th inning as they secured their seventh straight win over the Barons in front of an announced crowd of 1,895 at Regions Park. The Braves (25-12) pushed their lead in the South Division up to 4 games over the Jacksonville Sun. The Barons (17-20) dropped to 8 games behind the Braves for the Division Lead. The Braves have now won 7 straight against Birmingham to start the season. They have also won 5 of their last 6 after a season-long four game losing skid.

The Braves set new franchise highs in runs scored in a game (14), and runs scored in an inning (9). They tied franchise highs in walk in a game (10), and largest margin of victory (11 runs). Carl Loadenthal extended his hitting streak in the 3rd inning with a single. He has now hit safely in 18 straight games and has tied Scott Thorman for the Franchise Record (18 games - May 16 - June 4, 2005).

Braves starter Jo-Jo Reyes (4-1, 3.45 ERA) faced one over the minimum through four while limiting the Barons to just one hit. After the near 40 minute 5th inning, Reyes gave up three runs on four hits but retired the final five batters he faced while lasting seven frames. Charlie Morton worked the final two innings allowing just a couple of hits.

Mark Jurich was the Braves Player of the Game as finished 2-for-4 while matching a career high with 5 RBIs. The middle three of the order (Esquivel, Creek, Jurich) finished 7-for-12 with 4 runs scored, 4 walks, 3 doubles and 11 RBIs. Van Pope broke out of an 0-16 slump with a two-run single in the 5th inning followed by a triple in the 6th inning. J.C. Holt was also 2-for-5 with a walk and two runs scored.

The Braves will continue 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 Third Game of their Southern League Series. The Braves On Deck Circle presented by Wendy's will not air due to the Rebel Yell Hotline. The First Pitch will follow at 7:05pm (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Francisely Bueno (1-2, 4.58 ERA) to the hill still in search of his second win, while the Barons will counter with LHP Gio Gonzalez (4-2, 3.44 ERA) who is looking for his league-best fifth 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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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: 2:42 --- ATTENDANCE: 1,895

BRAVES BITES:
* The Braves improve to 13-9 on the road.
* The Braves improve to 8-2 in day games.
* The Braves improve to 19-7 when scoring first.
* The Braves improve to 20-6 when not allowin1g a homerun.
* The Braves improve to 16-4 when scoring four or more runs.
* The Braves improve to 21-0 when leading after eight innings.
* The Braves registered 7 more strikeouts on the mound.(Performance Sports Academy K's for Kids Total: $262 to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital)

ACTIVE HIT STREAKS (2 games or more):
* J.C. Holt - 4 games - (7-15, .467)
* Greg Creek - 3 games - (4-13, .308)
* Mark Jurich - 3 games - (5-12, .417)
* Matt Esquivel - 2 games - (4-6, .667)
* Carl Loadenthal - 18 games - (26-72, .361)

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* Brent Lillibridge - 3 games - (5-12, .417)

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED:
* Van Pope - (0-16) - 5th inning 2-RBI single.

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS:
* Josh Burrus (0-3)
* Mike Rozema (0-7)
* Ray Serrano (0-15)
* Brent Lillibridge (0-7)
* Clint Sammons (0-12)
* Fernando Lunar (0-11) - (DL)

TRANSACTIONS:
* NONE

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

by
Bryan Eubank