NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Gwinnett Stripers

Lehigh Valley holds off G-Braves, 7-5

June 15, 2016 - International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


ALLENTOWN, PA - The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (36-29) broke a 1-1 tie with a four runs bottom of the third and held on to defeat the Gwinnett Braves (30-36) by a 7-5 score Wednesday night in game two of a three-game series at Coca-Cola Park.

The game began with the teams exchanging first-inning, solo home runs. In the top of the first with one out, Emilio Bonifacio drilled a solo homer to left off Lehigh Valley starter Anthony Vasquez for an early 1-0 lead. It was Bonifacio's first home run of the season.

But in the bottom of the first, G-Braves' starter Lucas Sims gave up a solo homer to IronPigs' leadoff hitter Taylor Featherston tying the game.

The game stayed tied until the bottom of the third when J.P. Crawford led off with a double down the first base line. Andrew Knapp walked and two batters later Brock Stassi singled to center, putting the IronPigs on top, 2-1. David Lough followed with a two-RBI triple to right and Emmanuel Burriss capped the inning with an RBI double, pushing the lead to 5-1.

In the bottom of the fourth, Crawford stroked a one-out double to right and scored on a single by Knapp, and Darin Ruf followed with a double to right to push across Knapp and make the score 7-1.

The G-Braves got three runs back in the fifth when Ronnier Mustelier lined a two-RBI double with the bases loaded and Daniel Castro picked up an RBI single, cutting the lead to 7-4.

The Lehigh Valley three-run lead held until the top of the ninth when Gwinnett started a two-out rally against closer Edward Mujica. Braeden Schlehuber singled to left with two outs and moved to third on a pinch-hit double by Blake Lalli. Ozzie Albies followed with an RBI single to center, but Bonifacio grounded out to first with runners at the corners to end the game.

Sims (L, 2-6) lasted just 3.2 innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits, while walking three. The right-hander struck out four and threw just 54 of his 86 pitches for strikes. Rob Wooten tossed 1.1 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just one hit, before Stephen Janas (1.0 inning) and Kanekoa Texeira (2.0 innings) got through the final three innings, yielding a combined two hits.

For the IronPigs, Vasquez allowed four runs on seven hits over 4.1 innings, while striking out two and walking just one. Luis Garcia (W, 4-1) yielded one hit and issued two walks over 1.2 innings to get the win, while Edubray Ramos (H, 5) pitched 2.0 innings of scoreless relief and Mujica (S, 15) completed the ninth, despite allowing three hits and a run.

At the plate, Mustelier was 3-for-5 for the G-Braves with two doubles and two RBIs, while Schlehuber went 2-for-4 with a run. Albies, Bonifacio and Castro were each 2-for-5 with an RBI.

Lehigh Valley was paced by Crawford who went 3-for-3 with two runs and two doubles. Stassi was 3-for-4 with a double, a run and an RBI after collecting a three-RBI double to walk-off Tuesday night's win.

The G-Braves and IronPigs conclude the three game series Thursday night in Allentown. Righty Lucas Harrell (2-1, 4.29) will take the mound against right-handed Jake Thompson (5-5, 3.42) at 7:05 p.m. Tony Schiavone has the call of the action beginning at 6:35 p.m. on 97.7 FM.

Check out the Gwinnett Stripers Statistics

• Discuss this story on the International League message board...

International League Stories from June 15, 2016


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