Braves Survive 9th Inning Scare: W, 9-8

The Mobile BayBears brought the winning run to the plate in the 9th inning in the midst of a 3-run frame so the Braves countered with Joey Devine. Devine gave up a two-run single to Carlos Gonzalez before striking out Jarred Ball to end the ballgame and pick up his League leading 6th save of the season. With the win the Braves clinched their fifth straight series in front of 5,321 fans at Hank Aaron Stadium that also witnessed the Braves longest 9 inning game of the season (3 hours 25 minutes).

Matt Esquivel belted his League-leading 7th Homerun of the season, becoming the first MS Brave to hit a homerun in three straight games. He also leads the team and the League with 21 RBIs. Greg Creek had a base hit in each of his first three at-bats while driving in a pair of runs. The Braves (18-7) pushed their lead back to 4 games in the South Division over the idle Barons.

The BayBears (12-13) fought hard in this game getting to withing two runs twice before making it a one-run game in the 9th. Braves starter Kelvin Villa (2-1, 4.18 ERA) was unable to make it out of the 5th inning as he surrendered 4 runs on 6 hits and a solo Homerun to Chris Rahl. The Braves ERA rose to 2.64 but they still remain in first in the Southern League ahead of Birmingham - 2.72 ERA. BayBears starter Osbeck Castillo (1-1, 6.61 ERA) was roughed up for 4 runs in four innings of work.

Matt Esquivel was the Braves Player of the Game as he finished the game 2-for-3 with a solo HR, 3 RBIs and 2 Runs. Diory Hernandez had his fifth straight 2-hit game and raised his batting average to a team-best .400. Greg Creek also had a 2-hit performance.

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 First 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 Matt Harrison (3-0, 2.45 ERA) to the hill still in search of his fourth win, while the Biscuits will counter with LHP Chris Seddon (2-1, 4.50 ERA) who is seeking his third 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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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: 3:25 --- ATTENDANCE: 5,321

BRAVES BITES:
* The Braves improve to 9-6 on the road.
* The Braves improve to 13-6 when scoring first.
* The Braves registered a season high in walks (8).
* The Braves improve to 11-2 when hitting a homerun.
* The Braves improve to 12-1 when scoring 4 or more runs.
* The Braves improve to 15-0 when leading after eight innings.
* The Braves registered 9 more strikeouts on the mound.(Performance Sports Academy K's for Kids Total: $199 to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital)

ACTIVE HIT STREAKS (2 games or more):
* Greg Creek - 2 games - (5-9, .556)
* Matt Esquivel - 4 games - (7-13, .538)
* Carl Loadenthal - 6 games - (9-23, .391) - DNP
* Diory Hernandez - 7 games - (12-25, .480)

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* NONE

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED
* Jarrod Saltalamacchia (0-10) - (Double in 5th)
* Josh Burrus (0-14) - (Infield Single in 8th)

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS (More than 0-4)
* Brent Lillibridge (0-6) - Pinch Hit in the 8th
* Fernando Lunar (0-11) - Did Not Play

TRANSACTIONS:
* NONE

by
Bryan Eubank