Braves Fall in Extra Innings: L, 2-1

The Smokies and Braves were locked into a pitcher's duel that was decided in extra innings as Jake Fox knocked in Issmael Salas to win Game 2 of their Southern League series, 2-1, in front of an announced crowd of 3,907 at Smokies Park. The Braves (5-9) dropped their fourth straight game and fell to 47-37 on the season. The Smokies (8-6) won their fifth straight game against the Braves and their third straight one-run decision over Mississippi.

The Braves scored first for the second straight game as Mark Jurich lined a two-out RBI double down the right field line to score Matt Esquivel all the way from first base in the top of the fourth inning. The Smokies responded with a two-out rally of their own as Issmael Salas knocked in Casey McGehee with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the fourth.

Mark Holliman and Brad Nelson both tossed 7 innings while allowing just one run each and neither factored in the decision. Jerry Blevins (2-2, 0.74 ERA) was dominant in relief as he retired all but one batter in his three innings of work while striking out three Braves.
Zach Schreiber (3-3, 1.71 ERA) was equally efficient until the 10th inning when he allowed a lead-off single to Issmael Salas. Salas then reached third base on a throwing error by Schreiber and then scored on the Fox walk-off single.

Brad Nelson was the Braves player of the game as he tossed 7 innings while allowing just one run on 4 hits with two walks and five strikeouts on just 82 pitches. Nelson lowered his ERA by 70 points to 4.71.

The Braves will continue a 4-game series in Sevierville Tennessee at Smokies Park as they take on the Tennessee Smokies, the AA Affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, in the third game of their Southern League 4-Game 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 LHP Kelvin Villa (5-5, 5.29 ERA) to the hill in search of his 6th win, while the Smokies will counter with LHP Donny Veal (4-5, 5.64 ERA) who is looking for his fifth victory. Make sure you take your radio to the game and tune to the exclusive Smokies Park frequency - 104.1-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 To catch an archived version of tonight's game or any previous MS Braves game head to Minor League Baseball.com and select the day you want to hear.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: 2:35

ATTENDANCE: 3,907


BRAVES BITES:
* The Braves fall to 22-21 on the road.
* The Braves fall to 14-13 in one-run games.
* The Braves fall to 36-16 when scoring first.
* The Braves registered 6 more strikeouts on the mound.(Performance Sports Academy K's for Kids Total: $616 to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital)

ACTIVE HIT STREAKS (2 games or more):
* Mark Jurich - 2 games (3-6, .500)
* Ray Serrano - 4 games (6-15, .400)
* Brandon Jones - 3 games (4-13, .308)

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* Mike Rozema - 6 games (8-22, .364)

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED:
* Van Pope - (0-5) - 5th inning single
* Matt Esquivel - (0-11) - 2nd inning single
* Diory Hernandez - (0-8) - 1st inning single

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS:
* Josh Burrus - (0-5)
* Clint Sammons - (0-5)

TRANSACTIONS:
* NONE

by
Bryan Eubank