Braves Salvage Series Finale with Rout: W, 12-2

Matt Esquivel and Brandon Jones hit the fourth pair of back-to-back homeruns in the 3rd inning as the Braves pounded the Biscuits in the series finale 12-2 in front of a an announced crowd of 2,817 fans at Rivewalk Stadium. The Braves (10-15) gained ground on Jacksonville and improved to 52-43 overall. The Biscuits (18-7) fell back into a tie for 1st place in the South Division while falling to 53-42 overall on the season. The Braves finished 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position (11-for-40 in the series) in the game while the Biscuits finished 2-for-8 in that same category (12-for-38 in the series).

Brad Nelson (4-1, 4.32 ERA) was sensational as he allowed just two runs in his six innings of work. He scattered six hits while striking out a season high 8 batters on the night. Wes Wilkerson tossed the next two scoreless frames while Sung Ki Jung finished off the Biscuits in the ninth inning while scattering three hits and inducing a double play.

Jon Barratt (2-7, 5.26 ERA) was knocked out after three innings of work and six runs given up to the Braves along with two homers. Derek Feldkamp didn't fare much better as he lasted 3 and 1/3 innings while giving up six runs on two homers as well. Brett Wayne was the only Biscuit pitcher to keep the Braves off the scoreboard as he allowed just one hit over his 2 and 2/3 innings.

Matt Esquivel was the Braves player of the game as he picked up his first multi-homerun game of the season and while knocking in 3 RBIs of the season. It was the Braves fifth multi-homer game of the season (Jones-2, Saltalamacchia-2). It was also the fourth time this season that the Braves hit back-to-back homers. They have accomplished the feat in each month of the season.

The Braves will enjoy an off day on Monday before getting back to action Tuesday night as the Braves start up a five game set in Pearl, Mississippi at Trustmark Park as they take on the Jacksonville Suns, the AA Affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, in the first game of their Southern League 5-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 will send LHP Moises Hernandez (0-1, 9.82 ERA) to the hill in search of his first AA win while the Biscuits will counter with RHP Joey Norrito (6-0, 2.38 ERA) who is looking for his seventh 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: 2,817

BRAVES BITES:
* The Braves improve to 25-25 on the road.
* The Braves improve to 40-18 when scoring first.
* The Braves improve to 28-16 when hitting a homerun.
* The Braves improve to 39-16 when scoring 4 or more runs.
* The Braves registered 11 more strikeouts on the mound.(Performance Sports Academy K's for Kids Total: $696 to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital)

ACTIVE HIT STREAKS (2 games or more):
* Greg Creek - 5 games (5-15, .333)
* Ray Serrano - 7 games (11-30, .367)
* Carl Loadenthal - 11 games (18-44, .409)
* Brandon Jones - 14 games (23-58, .397) - sets a new season high

HIT STREAKS ENDED:
* NONE

HITLESS STREAKS ENDED:
* Josh Burrus - (0-12) - 5th inning double
* Matt Esquivel - (0-10) - 3rd inning homerun
* Diory Hernandez - (0-11) - 2nd inning single

ACTIVE HITLESS STREAKS:
* NONE

TRANSACTIONS:
* NONE

(Players in Italics did not play)

by
Bryan Eubank