Braves Avoid Series Sweep: W, 10-5

The Braves sent thirteen men to the plate in the 4th inning as they erupted for 8 runs as the Braves halted a 5-game losing skid in front of the fifth biggest crowd in Smokies Park history (6,864). The Braves (6-10) ended their six-game slump against the Smokies and improved to 48-37 on the season. The Smokies (9-7) had their three game win streak halted as they fell to 45-39 overall. The Braves finished 5-for-16 with runners in scoring position in the game and 10-for-45 in the series. The Smokies finished 0-for-8 in that same category tonight and 8-for-37 in the series.

The Braves scored first for the third straight game as J.C. Holt returned from injury and singled to start the game. Brandon Jones doubled him over to third and Matt Esquivel brought him in with a sacrifice fly to notch his team-leading 59th RBI of the season. The Smokies responded in the bottom of the 1st inning as Jake Fox launched his 15th homerun of the season.

The Smokies added to their lead with a sacrifice fly in the 2nd inning by Chris Robinson. Then Jake Fox belted a two-run shot in the 3rd inning to tie Esquivel in homeruns with his 16th of the season, and give the Smokies a 4-1 lead.

Then came the 4th inning as Paul Schappert was knocked around by Esquivel, Hernandez, Jurich and Pope who all singled to start the inning. With the bases loaded, Clint Sammons and Francisely Bueno both popped out to Gary Cates, Jr. at second base. J.C. Holt then reached on an infield RBI single, which was followed by a Loadenthal 2-run single and a Jones 2-run single. The final two runs scored on a error by Carlos Rojas and a double steal by Esquivel and Hernandez.

Francisely Bueno (3-4, 3.59 ERA) was the beneficiary of the 8-run outburst as he tossed 6 innings while scattering 10 hits and allowing five runs (4 earned). Jose Ascanio and Joey Devine tossed three scoreless innings of relief.

Brandon Jones was the Braves player of the game as finished with 3-for-5 with 3 RBIs and a pair of doubles. He has now hit safely in his last 5 games for the Braves.

The Braves will start up a 4-game series in Pearl, Mississipip at Turstmark Park as they take on the Chattanooga Lookouts, the AA Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, in the first game of their Southern League 4-Game Series. 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 RHP Moises Hernandez (0-1, 14.54 ERA) in search of his first win. The Lookouts will counter with LHP Camilo Vasquez (4-7, 4.55 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: 2:39

ATTENDANCE: 6,864 (5th Largest crowd in Smokies Park History)

BRAVES BITES:
* The Braves improve to 23-22 on the road.
* The Braves fall to 37-16 when scoring first.
* The Braves fall to 7-10 in the last game of a series.
* The Braves fall to 2-6 in the last game of a road trip.
* The Braves improve to 38-0 when leading after 8 innings.
* The Braves improve to 36-15 when scoring 4 or more runs.
* The Braves registered 5 more strikeouts on the mound.(Performance Sports Academy K's for Kids Total: $628 to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital)

ACTIVE HIT STREAKS (2 games or more):
* J.C. Holt - 2 games (3-8, .375)
* Carl Loadenthal - 2 games (4-7, .571)
* Van Pope - 3 games (6-12, .500)
* Ray Serrano - 3 games (6-15, .400)
* Mark Jurich - 4 games (6-14, .429)
* Brandon Jones - 5 games (8-22, .364)

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* NONE

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED:
* Matt Esquivel - (0-5) - 4th inning single

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS:
* Josh Burrus - (0-6)
* Clint Sammons - (0-13)

TRANSACTIONS:
* NONE

by
Bryan Eubank