SL1 Mississippi Braves

Braves fall to Smokies in ten

July 31, 2005 - Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


The Braves lost the series finale to the Smokies, 6-4, in front of 2,996 fans at Trustmark Park on Sunday night.

SMOKIES 1, BRAVES 0 The Smokies took their first lead of the series in the top of the first inning with some help from the Braves. Noochie Varner reached and moved to second on a throwing error by third baseman Wes Timmons. He then scored on a single by Jarred Ball to put Tennessee on top early.

SMOKIES 3, BRAVES 0 Tennessee added to their lead in the second when Jamie D'Antona drew a lead-off walk. He moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by pitcher Enrique Gonzalez and scored when Varner ripped a double off the wall in left-center. D'Antona then scored from second on an infield single by Jarred Ball. The play pulled first baseman Michael Rosamond off the bag so there was no play at first and the throw home was in the dirt allowing D'Antona to score.

SMOKIES 3, BRAVES 1 The Braves got on the board in the bottom of the second when Gregor Blanco drew a lead-off walk and scored when Josh Arteaga drilled a double to left-center.

SMOKIES 4, BRAVES 1 Tennessee matched the Braves run in the second with another run in the third. Dan Uggla ripped the first pitch he saw over the left field wall for a 4-1 Smokies lead.

SMOKIES 4, BRAVES 2 Mississippi closed the gap in the sixth when Onil Joseph doubled and Gregor Blanco doubled him in to bring the Braves to within two.

BRAVES 4, SMOKIES 4 The Braves tied the score in the bottom of the eighth when Michael Rosamond singled and Blanco followed him with an infield single. Rosamond and Blanco then executed a double steal that put them at second and third. Luis Hernandez was then intentionally walked to load the bases. Pinch-hitter Martin Prado blooped a ball to right field that forced Dan Uggla and Jon Zeringue to collide allowing the ball to fall and the two tying runs to score.

SMOKIES 6, BRAVES 4 Tennessee retook the lead in the tenth when Uggla and Carter got back-to-back singles to start the inning. With two outs and Uggla and Carter still on, Adam Haley ripped a triple to right-center that brought the go ahead runs to the plate.

Braves starter Paul Bush (5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 1 HR) did not factor into the decision. Kevin Barry (2.0 IP, 1 BB, 2 K) kept the Braves in the game with two scoreless innings. Steve Kent (1.0 IP) through a shutout eighth inning. Joey Devine (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB) threw a shutout ninth inning. Casey DeHart (1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 K) fell to 4-2 on the year.

Tennessee's Enrique Gonzalez (5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K) pitched well but failed to factor into the decision. Justin Wechsler (1.0 IP) held the Braves scoreless through one inning. Doug Slaten (0.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 HB) did not have a good outing, but he didn't surrender a run. Mike Schultz (1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 IBB) allowed two unearned runs and the Braves to tie the score in the bottom of the eighth. Casey Daigle (1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 IBB, 1 K) held the Braves scoreless for an inning and improved to 7-1 on the year. Phil Stockman (1.0 IP, 1 K) threw a shutout 10th to earn his first save of the year.

The Braves have tomorrow off before heading to Birmingham for a three-game series with the Barons. On Tuesday, Mississippi will send righty Ryan Basner (2-7, 4.44) to the hill while Birmingham will counter with lefty Heath Phillips (6-3, 3.44).

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Southern League Stories from July 31, 2005


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