Sports stats



SL1 Mississippi Braves

Barons Finally Solve Braves

May 16, 2007 - Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


It took the Birmingham Barons 10 games to finally pick up their first victory over the Southern League Leading Mississippi Braves as they came from a 3-0 deficit to halt a 9-game losing streak to the Braves. An announced crowd of 3.979 at Regions Park. The Braves (27-13) held onto thei lead in the South Division of 6 games over the Suns and Biscuits. The Barons (18-22) ended a four game skid to move to 9 games behind the Braves.

The Braves started their scoring in the 1st inning as Matt Esquivel belted his League Leading 11th Homerun and 36th RBI on a shot to straight away center field. He followed that with an RBI double to bring in Brandon Jones as he picked up his 2nd 4 RBI game of the season. Carl Loadenthal had his 20-game hitting streak come to an end with a 0-for-3 performance.

Braves starter Kelvin Villa (3-2, 5.26 ERA) was staked to a 3-0 lead but gave up 4 runs over the first two innings to let the Barons back in the ballgame. He settled down retiring 10 of the last 12 batters he faced. Charlie Morton relieved Villa and allowed a run on two hits in the 6th. A rain delay of about 30 minutes didn't slow him down as he struck out the first batter after the game resumed. Zach Schreiber tossed the 9th inning as he gave up a leadoff double to Donny Lucy who then scored on a sacrifice fly by Jason Bourgeois. The Braves ninth inning rally fell short as J.C. Holt walked to lead off the frame. Brandon Jones then singled him over to second base before Matt Esquivel flew out to the wall in dead center for the second out and Greg Creek flew out to the warning track in left to end the game.

The Braves finished 4-for-16 with runners in scoring position while the Barons finished 3-for-8 in the same category. The Braves continued to get chances but just couldn't capitalize on them.

Matt Esquivel was the Braves Player of the Game as he launched his 11th homerun of the season along with an RBI double to lift his total to 37 on the season (one shy of his total last year - 68 games). He drove in all 4 runs for the Braves.

The Braves will start up a 5-game homestand in Pearl, Mississippi at Trustmark Park as they take on the Tennessee Smokies, the AA Affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, in the First Game of their Southern League Series. The Braves On Deck Circle presented by Wendy's will start things off at 6:05pm (CT). The First Pitch will follow at 7:05pm (CT). The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Matt Harrison (4-1, 3.02 ERA) to the hill in search of his league best fifth win, while the Smokies will counter with RHP Justin Berg (1-2, 6.43 ERA) who is looking for his second victory.

Check out the Mississippi Braves Statistics



Southern League Stories from May 16, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central