Braves Win In Extras: W, 4-3 (10 Innings)

Despite leaving 16 runners on base the MS Braves found a way to take the series opener against the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx 4-3 in 10 innings and in front of 3,871 fans at Trustmark Park. With the win the Braves (35-21) moved their lead in the South Division back up to 5 games over the BayBears and Suns. They were also reduced their magic number to 10 to clinch the first half with 14 games remaining. The Diamond-Jaxx (25-31) remain 5.0 games back in the North Division race.

The Braves had won just twice when trailing after 8 innings this season before ripping 4 singles (Loadenthal, Rozema, Jones-RBI, Esquivel-RBI) to start the bottom of the 9th which tied the game 3-3. The Braves left the bases loaded in the 2nd, 4th, 7th and 10th but still escaped with the win.

Francisely Bueno (2-2, 2.85 ERA), didn't factor in the decision but pitched out of a couple of tough situations. He got out of a bases-loaded no out situtation in the 4th with just one run allowed. He then induced a 6-4-3 double play to help get himself out of the 6th inning. Jose Ascanio was touched for two runs (one earned) in his 3 innings of work. Brad Nelson scattered two hits in the 10th inning to register his 3rd win in relief this season.

Matt Esquivel was the Braves Players of the Game as finished 2-for-5 at the plate with the game-tying and game-winning RBI single. His two RBIs move him to 46 for the season - 3 clear of his nearest competitor (Evan Longoria-43).

The Braves will continue a 5-game series in Pearl, Mississippi at Trustmark Park as they take on the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, the AA Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, in the second game of their Southern League Series. The Braves On Deck Circle presented by Wendy's will air starting at 12:05pm (CT). The First Pitch will follow at 1:05pm (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Matt Harrison (4-1, 3.60 ERA) to the hill in search of his 5th win, while the D-Jaxx will counter with RHP Andy Baldwin (1-4, 5.15 ERA) who is looking for his second 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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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: 3:36 (:43 minute delay to start the game) --- ATTENDANCE: 3,871

BRAVES BITES:
* The Braves improve to 18-8 at home.
* The Braves improve to 12-8 in one-run games.
* The Braves improve to 14-7 when following a loss.
* The Braves improve to 9-3 in the first game of a series.
* The Braves improve to 3-19 when trailing after 8 innings.
* The Braves improve to 24-9 when scoring 4 or more runs.
* The Braves improve to 8-9 when their opponent scores first.
* The Braves improve to 4-2 in the first game of a homestand.
* The Braves registered 9 more strikeouts on the mound.(Performance Sports Academy K's for Kids Total: $422 to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital)

ACTIVE HIT STREAKS (2 games or more):
* Mark Jurich -5 games (9-21, .429)
* Ray Serrano - 5 games (8-16, .500)
* Mike Rozema - 5 games (10-24, .417)
* Clint Sammons - 5 games (7-21, .333)
* Carl Loadenthal - 8 games (13-32, .406)

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* Diory Hernandez - 3 games (3-12, .250)

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED:
* Matt Esquivel (0-9) - 9th inning RBI single
* Brandon Jones (0-6) - 5th inning single

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS:
* Van Pope (0-5)
* Greg Creek (0-6)
* Josh Burrus (0-11)

TRANSACTIONS:
* NONE

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

by
Bryan Eubank