Mejia's 9th Inning Blast Propels G-Braves to 3-2 Win at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
May 13, 2013 - International League (IL1) - Gwinnett Stripers News Release
MOOSIC, PA - After losing 14 straight, the Gwinnett Braves (14-25) battled back win their second in a row on Monday night against the Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, 3-2.
With the score tied at 2-2 in the ninth inning, Ernesto Mejia drilled a solo homer to lift the G-Braves over the RailRiders in the finale of the four game series at PNC Field.
Mejia's blast against Sam Demel (L, 1-1) ended a cold, wet night for both squads, as the both sides played through unpleasant conditions that hampered the offensive attacks all evening.
Despite the frigid weather, the Braves struck first. Jose Yepez drew a one out walk off of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre starter Nik Turley and moved to second on a wild pitch. Jason Heyward, in his fourth rehab game with Gwinnett, followed with a long double to center field, scoring Yepez for a 1-0 lead.
The RailRiders tied it in the bottom of the fifth. Melky Mesa hammered the first pitch from Braves' starter Yohan Flande over the left field wall making it 1-1.
Mesa then gave the RailRiders the 2-1 lead, poking a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the sixth off of Flande.
The lead did not last long, as the Braves tied it up in the seventh against reliever Graham Stoneburner. Brandon Boggs leadoff with a double to right, moved to third on a sac bunt by Todd Cunningham and scored on single to right by Joe Leonard, knotting it up at 2-2.
After a scoreless eighth and Mejia's tie breaking homer in the ninth, Corey Rasmus (S, 5) pitched a perfect bottom of the ninth to secure the victory.
Kameron Loe (W, 1-0) in his first game as a G-Brave picked up the victory. He went 1.1 scoreless innings for his new team club. Flande turned in a quality start, hurling 6.0 innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs. He walked four and struck out four. Rasmus converted his team-leading fifth save. He is five-for-five in save opportunities in 2013.
Turley, in his first ever Triple-A start was sharp in his 6.0 innings of work. He allowed only two hits and one earned run while walking three and striking out four. Stoneburner went 2.0 innings with two hits and one earned run. Demel suffered his first loss of the season after giving up the late-inning homer.
At the plate, each team was held to five hits. Mejia lead the Braves, going 2-for-3 with the solo homer. Heyward in his second straight start went 1-for-2 with the RBI double and played five innings in right field.
Mesa was 2-for-4 for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and drove in both runs.
The G-Braves continue the eight game road trip with the first of a four game series in Pawtucket, RI against the Pawtucket Red Sox. First pitch from McCoy Stadium set for 7:05 p.m. Tuesday night. LHP Sean Gilmartin (2-1, 2.70) will start for the Braves. The Red Sox will pitch RHP Allen Webster (1-0, 2.70). Tony Schiavone will have the call on WDUN AM 550/FM 102.9.
Tickets for all Gwinnett Braves home games are on sale now at the Coolray Field Box Office. Call (678) 277-0340 or visit gwinnettbraves.com for more information.
• Discuss this story on the International League message board...
International League Stories from May 13, 2013
- Red Wings Post-Game Notes - Rochester Red Wings
- Mejia's 9th Inning Blast Propels G-Braves to 3-2 Win at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre - Gwinnett Stripers
- PawSox Dropped by Charlotte 6-1 - Pawtucket Red Sox
- RailRiders Conclude Homestand with 3-2 Loss to Braves - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- SWB Game Notes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Colome Fans 11 as Bulls Earn Split with Lehigh Valley - Durham Bulls
- Tides Edge Chiefs in Wild 10-Inning Game - Syracuse Mets
- Rochester Red Wings Game Notes - Rochester Red Wings
- Orioles Option LHP Mike Belfiore to Triple-A Norfolk - Norfolk Tides
- Tribe Sunk by Pair of 'Hens Homers 6-3 - Indianapolis Indians
- Bisons Notes - Buffalo at Louisville (6:35 p.m.) - Buffalo Bisons
- Panthers Players to Take Swings at Knights Stadium on Wednesday, May 15 - Charlotte Knights
- RailRiders Baseball: There's An App for That - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Mark Hamilton Honored as I.L. Player of the Week - Pawtucket Red Sox
- Red Sox Recall Lavarnway, Ross to DL - Pawtucket Red Sox
- Gwinnett Braves Announce Benefit for Tripp Halstead on Saturday - Gwinnett Stripers
- IronPigs Game Notes - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- IronPigs' "Urinal Gaming System" Awarded April Promo of the Month - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- International League Names Players of the Week - IL1
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.
Other Recent Gwinnett Stripers Stories
- Gwinnett Stripers Announce Updates to Coolray Field for 15th Season
- Gwinnett Stripers Announce Updates to Coolray Field for 15th Season
- Gwinnett Stripers, Coca-Cola® to Host Preseason Party on March 10
- Tex at the Top: Kanekoa Texeira Returns to Manage Gwinnett
- Gwinnett Stripers to Host Virtual National Anthem Auditions