Braves Finally Halt Losing Ways: W, 6-1

The Braves turned to Jo-Jo Reyes and he answered with a streak-stopping performance as the Braves defeated Mobile 6-1 and halted their six-game losing streak in the process in front of a crowd of 5,205 at Trustmark Park. With the win the Braves (41-28) were able to hold onto their lead in the South Division at 1 game over the Suns. The Braves magic number to clinch the first half finally dropped to 1 with 1 game remaining. So the Braves must win Sunday to clinch their first ever playoff spot in MS Braves History. The Braves are assured of at least a tie for the first half with their win tonight. By Southern League rule the first game in the second half between the two teams tied for the first half would decide the first half title. The BayBears (37-32) are out of the first half race as they trail the Braves by 4 games with 1 to play.

For the first time in the last 6 games the Braves finally got on the board first and made it stand up thanks to Reyes. Matt Esquivel belted his league-leading 15th homerun of the season to straight-away center field. Ray Serrano added an RBI double to put the Braves up 4-0 in the 6th inning and Greg Creek finished off the scoring with a two-run double in the 8th inning to post the final margin of 6-1.

Jo-Jo Reyes was the Braves Players of the Game as he stopped the 6-game losing streak. Reyes (8-1, 3.56 ERA) picked up his 5th straight win (counting his Richmond start) as he tossed 7 innings while twirling 10 strikeouts and allowing just one run on seven hits.

The Braves will wrap up their five-game series in Pearl, Mississippi at Trustmark Park as they take on the Mobile BayBears, the AA Affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, in the final game of their Southern League Series and the First Half. The Braves On Deck Circle presented by Wendy's will air starting at 6:05pm (CT). The First Pitch will follow at 7:05pm (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Kelvin Villa (3-5, 5.97 ERA) to the hill in search of his 4th win, while the BayBears will counter with LHP Esmerling Vasquez (4-4, 3.51 ERA) who is looking for his fifth 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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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: 2:45

ATTENDANCE: 5,025 (125,621 Total - 3,694 Home Average)

BRAVES BITES:
* The Braves improve to 22-12 at home .
* The Braves improve to 31-12 when scoring first.
* The Braves registered 14 more strikeouts on the mound.(Performance Sports Academy K's for Kids Total: $513 to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital)

by
Bryan Eubank