Braves Win in Extras Again: W, 4-3 (11)

Clint Sammons picked a perfect time to knock in his first run as a MS Brave as he belted an RBI single in the 11th to lift the Braves over the Barons 4-3, in front of an announced crowd of 2,478 at Regions Park. The Braves (26-12) pushed their lead in the South Division up to 5 games over the Jacksonville Suns. The Barons (17-21) dropped to 9 games behind the Braves and into the cellar. The Braves have now won 8 straight against Birmingham to start the season. They have also won 6 of their last 7 after a season-long four game losing skid.

The Braves got it started in the 2nd inning as Matt Esquivel launched his Southern League leading 10th homerun of the season as well as driving in his League best 33rd RBI. In 68 games played last year Esquivel finished with just 38 RBIs. Also Carl Loadenthal extended his hitting streak in the 2nd inning with an RBI single. He has now hit safely in a franchise-high 19 straight games. (He overtakes Scott Thorman -18 games - May 16 - June 4, 2005).

Braves starter Francisely Bueno (1-2, 4.13 ERA) became the 3rd straight starter in this series to make to the 7th inning. He was lifted with two on for Jose Ascanio who got the final two outs to get the Braves out of the jam. The Braves actually took the lead on JC Holt's first RBI of the season in the top of the 7th which would have made Bueno a winner, but Joey Devine was charged with his second blown save of the season as he gave up the lead in the bottom of the 9th. He allowed a lead off walk to Robert Valido who then stole second. He moved to third on a single by Chris Getz and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Cory Aldridge in foul territory.

Clint Sammons was the Braves Player of the Game as finished 2-for-5 while also throwing out two base runners. Van Pope hit a triple in his second straight game and is now tied for the League Lead in that category.

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 Fourth 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 Dan Smith (3-2, 2.33 ERA - #2 in League) to the hill in search of his fourth win, while the Barons will counter with RHP Jack Egbert (3-2, 2.61 ERA - #4 in League) who is also looking for his fourth 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: 3:23 --- ATTENDANCE: 2,478

BRAVES BITES:
* The Braves improve to 14-9 on the road.
* The Braves improve to 18-10 in night games.
* The Braves improve to 8-2 in one run games.
* The Braves improve to 20-7 when scoring first.
* The Braves improve to 3-1 in extra inning games.
* The Braves improve to 16-5 when hitting a homerun.
* The Braves improve to 17-4 when scoring four or more runs.
* The Braves improve to 22-0 when leading after eight innings.
* The Braves registered 12 more strikeouts on the mound.(Performance Sports Academy K's for Kids Total: $274 to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital)

ACTIVE HIT STREAKS (2 games or more):
* J.C. Holt - 5 games - (8-21, .381)
* Van Pope - 2 games - (3-10, .300)
* Mark Jurich - 3 games - (5-12, .417)
* Matt Esquivel - 3 games - (5-11, .455)
* Carl Loadenthal - 19 games - (28-76, .368)

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* Greg Creek - 3 games - (4-13, .308)

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED:
* Josh Burrus (0-5) - 11th inning single.
* Brent Lillibridge (0-7) - 1st inning single.
* Clint Sammons (0-15) - 9th inning single.

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