Braves Strand Eleven in Loss: L, 7-4

The Mississippi Braves left eleven men stranded on the base paths Friday night as the Biscuits used a four-run 2nd inning to halt their four game losing streak in front of 5,801 fans at Riverwalk Stadium. The Braves (20-8) dropped their first decision at Riverwalk Stadium but remain 5 games ahead of the Barons and Suns in the South Division Standings.

Braves lefty Francisely Bueno (0-2, 6.12 ERA) struggled through three innings giving up five runs while walking one and not striking out a single batter. Jose Ascanio was brilliant in his first three innings of relief as he retired the Biscuits in order on 22 pitches. In his fourth inning of work (7th) he doubled his pitch total and gave up two huge insurance runs for Montgomery after the Braves had just made it a one-run game. The Braves ERA rose slightly to 2.76 but they still remain in first in the Southern League ahead of Birmingham - 2.98 ERA.

The Biscuits (13-15) gave the Braves multiple chances to get back in the game before Greg Norton (making his first Major League Rehab appearance), ripped a two-run double off Ascanio to give the Biscuits a three-run advantage. Biscuits starter Chris Mason (4-0, 1.87 ERA) notched his fourth straight win as he struck out six and scattered six hits. It was the first game of the series that a Biscuits starter made it out of the 4th inning. Dale Thayer picked up a four-out save and moved into a tie for second in the league with his 5th save of the year.

Matt Esquivel was the Braves Player of the Game as he finished the game with an RBI double, two walks a run scored, and a Sac Fly to bump his Southern League Leading RBI total to 26. He also set a new season record of 6 straight games with an RBI. Matt is also still the current League Leader in Homeruns (8 HR), RBIs (26)and Runs Scored (24).

Clint Sammons made his AA debut and went 0-4 at the plate with 3 strikeouts as he was promoted to fill in for Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Ray Serrano is the back-up catcher. Carl Loadenthal extended his hitting streak to a team-high 9 games, tying Jarrod Saltalamacchia (14-34, .412 - April 16-25). Greg Creek also belted his 1st homerun of the season which tied the game 1-1 in the 2nd inning.

The Braves will have two more chances to win their 7th straight series. They have never lost two in a row this season, as they are 7-0 when following a loss.

The Braves will continue a ten-day road trip with a five game set in Montgomery, Alabama at Riverwalk Stadium as they take on the Montgomery Biscuits, the AA Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, in the Fourth Game of their Southern League Series. The Braves On Deck Circle presented by Wendy's will start things off at 6:05pm (CT), while the First Pitch will follow at 7:05pm (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Dan Smith (4-1, 1.95 ERA) to the hill still in search of his League-best 5th win, while the Biscuits will counter with LHP Mike Prochaska (0-3, 6.46 ERA) who is still looking for his first victory. Make sure you take your radio to the game and tune to the exclusive Hank Aaron Stadium 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: 2:56 --- ATTENDANCE: 5,801

BRAVES BITES:
* The Braves fall to 11-7 on the road.
* The Braves fall to 13-3 when hitting a homerun.
* The Braves fall to 14-2 when scoring 4 or more runs.
* The Braves fall to 5-2 when their opponenet scores first.
* The Braves fall to 14-2 when scoring 4 or more after eight innings.
* The Braves registered 1 more strikeout on the mound.(Performance Sports Academy K's for Kids Total: $209 to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital)

ACTIVE HIT STREAKS (2 games or more):
* Greg Creek - 6 games - (10-20, .500)
* Josh Burrus - 2 games - (2-7, .286) - DNP
* Mike Rozema - 2 games - (2-6, .333) - DNP
* Ray Serrano - 2 games - (2-8, .250) - DNP
* Brandon Jones - 3 games - (4-13, .308)
* Matt Esquivel - 7 games - (11-24, .458)
* Carl Loadenthal - 9 games - (13-35, .371)

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* Brent Lillibridge - 2 games - (2-8, .250)

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED
* Mark Jurich - (0-10) - 6th inning double
* Diory Hernandez - (0-7) - 2nd inning single

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS (More than 0-3)
* Van Pope (0-7)
* Clint Sammons (0-4)
* Fernando Lunar (0-11) - Did Not Play (DL)

TRANSACTIONS:
* Clint Sammons - promoted from Myrtle Beach
* Fernando Lunar - place on Disabled List (retroactive to 4.28)

by
Bryan Eubank