Braves Top Smokies in 9th: W, 3-2

In a game that featured two first place teams, the Mississippi Braves stayed hot at home with a thrilling 3-2 walk-off win in front of an announced Thursday night crowd of 4,010 at Trustmark Park. The Braves (28-13) held onto their lead in the South Division of 6 games over the Suns and Biscuits. The Smokies (20-19) had their two-game winning streak halted. The Braves are now 13-3 at Trustmark Park this season.

Brandon Jones drove in the winning run to deliver his second walk-off hit of the season (Had a walk-off Homerun against Carolina on April 11th). The Braves started their scoring in the 5th inning as J.C. Holt picked up his 2nd RBI of the season with a single to right field. The Smokies responded with 4 straight hits off of Matt Harrison in the 6th inning to score two and chase Harrison from the game. The Braves bullpen (Ascanio, Schreiber, Devine) retired 10 of the remaining 11 batters in the game. The Braves finished with 13 hits and stranded 11 base-runners while going 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position while the Smokies finished 1-for-5 in the same category.

Braves starter Matt Harrison (4-1, 3.04 ERA) was not his usual self as he allowed 3 walks (ties a season high) and only struck out four but was the beneficiary of two double plays. He now leads the team in ground ball double plays induced (8). Zach Schreiber worked around a two-out double by Jake Fox (his 3rd of the game) and Joey Devine tossed a perfect 9th inning to pick up his second win of the season.

Brandon Jones was the Braves Player of the Game as he picked up his second walk-off hit of the season. He finished 3-for-4 at the plate with 3 singles and an RBI.

The Braves will continue a 5-game homestand in Pearl, Mississippi at Trustmark Park as they take on the Tennessee Smokies, the AA Affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, in the Second Game of their Southern League Series. The Braves On Deck Circle presented by Wendy's will start things off at 6:05pm (CT). The First Pitch will follow at 7:05pm (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Jo-Jo Reyes (4-1, 3.45 ERA) to the hill in search of his league best fifth win, while the Smokies will counter with RHP Kevin Hart (2-4, 6.87 ERA) who is looking for his third 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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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: 2:51 --- ATTENDANCE: 4,010

BRAVES BITES:
* The Braves improve to 13-3 at home.
* The Braves improve to 20-10 in night games.
* The Braves improve to 22-8 when scoring first.
* The Braves improve to 4-0 when tied after 6 innings.
* The Braves improve to 7-2 in the first game of a series.
* The Braves improve to 22-7 when not allowing a homerun.
* The Braves improve to 3-1 in the first game of a homestand.
* The Braves improve to 24-8 when scoring three or more runs.
* The Braves registered 8 more strikeouts on the mound.(Performance Sports Academy K's for Kids Total: $299 to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital)

ACTIVE HIT STREAKS (2 games or more):
* J.C. Holt - 8 games - (12-33, .364)
* Josh Burrus - 2 games - (2-7, .286)
* Greg Creek - 3 games - (3-14, .214)
* Clint Sammons - 2 games - (4-9, .444)
* Brandon Jones - 3 games - (7-14, .500)
* Brent Lillibridge - 4 games - (7-17, .412)

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* Mark Jurich - 4 games - (7-17, .412) - (0-1, PH)
* Matt Esquivel - 5 games - (9-21, .429) - (0-2, RF)

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED:
* Mike Rozema (0-11) - 5th inning double

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS:
* Van Pope (0-8)
* Fernando Lunar (0-11) - (DL)

TRANSACTIONS:
* RHP Tyler Bullock was promoted from High-A Myrtle Beach.

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

by
Bryan Eubank