Lookouts Take Game One, L, 2-1

Four Lookout pitchers combined to baffle the Southern League Leading MS Braves and take Game 1 of their 5-game series in 2-1 fashion on Memorial Day and in front of 5,359 fans at AT&T Field. With the loss the Braves (32-19) had their lead reduced in the South Division to 4 games over the Suns. The Lookouts (22-29) still trail the Huntsville Stars by 6 games in the North Division.

Brad Nelson (2-0, 3.00 ERA), tossed 5 innings while giving up 1 run on 3 hits, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. Nelson retired 10 of the last 11 batters he faced. Paul Bush made his MS Braves debut this season tossing the 6th with two strikeouts. The Braves staff still leads the league in home runs allowed (19), ERA (2.94) Saves (17), and they are tied in shutouts (5).

Mike Rozema was the Brave Player of the Game as he finished 3-for-3 at the plate while raising his season average up to .308 in 13 games. Mike also picked up 4 infield assists.

Richie Gardner, (0-1, 0.00 ERA) making his second AA start on the season, danced around three walks in the first two innings thanks in large part to Ryan Hanigan as he threw out two baserunners to lead off the ballgame. Calvin Medlock and Carlos Guevara combined to retire the final six batters of the game while Guevara picked up his 4th save of the season.

The Braves will continue their 5-game series in Chattanooga, Tennessee at AT&T Field as they take on the Chattanooga Lookouts, the AA Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, in the second game of their Southern League Series. The Braves On Deck Circle presented by Wendy's will air starting at 5:15pm (CT). The First Pitch will follow at 6:15pm (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send RHP James Parr (0-0, 0.00 ERA) to the hill in his AA debut, while the Lookouts will counter with LHP Camilo Vasquez (3-5, 4.18 ERA) who is looking for his fourth victory. Make sure you take your radio to the game and tune to the exclusive AT&T Field frequency - 101.3-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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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: 2:23 --- ATTENDANCE: 5,359

BRAVES BITES:
* The Braves fall to 15-11 on the road.
* The Braves fall to 4-7 when scoring 2 or fewer runs.
* The Braves fall to 6-8 when their opponent scores first.
* The Braves fall to 2-17 when trailing after eight innings.
* The Braves registered 6 more strikeouts on the mound.(Performance Sports Academy K's for Kids Total: $370 to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital)

ACTIVE HIT STREAKS (2 games or more):
* Ray Serrano - 4 games (5-12, .417)
* Carl Loadenthal - 3 games (4-11, .364)
* Diory Hernandez - 2 games (2-7, .286)

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* Van Pope - 2 games (2-6, .333)
* Greg Creek - 2 games (2-6, .333)
* Matt Esquivel - 5 games (8-21, .381)
* Clint Sammons - 4 games (5-16, .313)
* Brandon Jones - 2 games (308, .375)

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED:
* Mike Rozema (0-5) - 3-3 (3 singles)

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS:
* Mark Jurich (0-13)
* Fernando Lunar (0-11) - (DL)

TRANSACTIONS:
* NONE

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

by
Bryan Eubank