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IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

Braves Drop Series Finale in Syracuse

June 21, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


SYRACUSE , NY -The Syracuse Chiefs defeated the Richmond Braves 9-5 on Thursday to avoid the four-game sweep. The Braves dropped to 42-29 while the Chiefs improved to 33-39 on the season.

The Chiefs jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third inning. After retiring the lead-off batter, Richmond starter Blaine Boyer walked the next four batters in the inning and walked home the Chiefs' first run of the game. Syracuse second baseman, Russ Adams then drove home the second run with his groundout to second baseman Jonathan Schuerholz, to give the Chiefs' a 2-0 lead.

The Braves came right back and scored four runs in the top of the fourth frame. Brayan Pena tied the game at two when he smashed a two-run homer over the right field wall. Later in the inning, Iker Franco drove home Graham Koonce with his single to left field for the 3-2 lead. The next batter Jonathan Schuerholz added to the Richmond lead when he drove home Wes Timmons on a single to center field, to give the Braves a 4-2 lead.

Richmond added to their lead with a run in the fifth inning. Wes Timmons drove home Doug Clark, who had reached on a fielder's choice earlier in the inning, to take a 5-2 lead.

Syracuse scored six runs on six hits in the seventh inning to re-take the lead. Braves' relievers Trey Hodges and Manny Acosta were each touched up for three earned runs in the inning. Rich Scalamandre got out of the inning when he got Kevin Barker to fly into a sacrifice double play.

The Chiefs added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth when John-Ford Griffin hit a solo home run over the right field wall.

The Braves' Brayan Pena and Wes Timmons were each 2-for-4 in the loss. John-Ford Griffin and Russ Adams each drove home three runs in the game to lead the Chiefs' offense.

Manny Acosta, who allowed three of the Chiefs' runs in the seventh inning, dropped the decision. He fell to 5-2 with a 1.56 ERA. Syracuse reliever Justin James picked up his second win of the season and evened his record to 2-2 with a 3.75 ERA.

Richmond returns home to The Diamond on Friday, to host the Durham Bulls in a four-game series. The Braves will send LHP Jo-Jo Reyes (1-0, 1.50 ERA) to face the Bulls' RHP Jae Seo (0-0, 4.00 ERA) in the series opener. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

The Braves' home stadium, The Diamond, is expected to surpass the 10,000,000 fan mark this weekend. The Braves host the Durham Bulls in a four-game series and are expected to reach the milestone either Saturday or Sunday. The ten millionth fan will receive numerous prizes in celebration of the achievement. Also as a reminder Braves' fans, there is a limited number of tickets available for the Richmond Braves' July 4th and 5th Fireworks Extravaganza at The Diamond. For more information or to reserve your seat, please call the R-Braves' ticket office at 804-359-4444 or visit the club's website, www.rbraves.com .

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