IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

Braves Get 50th Win

Published on July 13, 2007 under International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


Toledo, OH - The Richmond Braves defeated the Toledo Mud Hens, 7-5 on Friday night. The Braves improved to 50-39 while the Mud Hens dropped to 53-40. Richmond earned their 50th win of the season and is only seven wins away from reaching the club's 2006 win total. The Braves didn't reach the mark last season, until August 22.

The Braves jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Larry Bigbie drove home Pete Orr and Brayan Pena with his two-out, two-run single. Pete Orr reached base with his double to left and Pena took a free pass to give Richmond two base runners.

Richmond added to their lead with five additional runs in the third inning. All five of the Braves' runs were plated with two outs. Brayan Pena and Brent Lillibridge each recorded home runs in the inning. Pena's blast, a solo homer, was his fourth of the season. And Lillibridge's two-run shot, was his third with Richmond. Pete Orr recorded a triple in the inning and Larry Bigbie picked up his eighth double of the season. The Braves ended the frame with a 7-0 lead.

The Mud Hens broke up the shutout with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Brent Clevlen singled home a pair of runs to put Toledo on the board. The next batter, Henry Mateo singled home Mike Hessman for the Mud Hens' third run of the game.

Toledo scored two more runs in the seventh inning to make it a two-run game. The Mud Hens' first three batters reached safely. Kevin Hooper and Timo Perez had back-to-back singles to lead-off the frame. They were joined on base when Jack Hannahan drew the base on balls. Chris Shelton scored Hooper with his RBI sac-fly to center. Then with two outs, Brent Clevlen picked up his third RBI of the game when he doubled home Perez. The Perez run made it a 7-5, Richmond lead.

Braves' starter Trey Hodges held the Mud Hens scoreless until the sixth inning. Hodges allowed three earned runs in five and two-thirds innings to earn his fourth win. Hodges is now 4-3 on the season with a 3.90 ERA. Ryan Basner and Jeff Bennett each saw action out of the bullpen. Basner pitched one inning of relief while Bennett threw one and one third innings. Fresh off of his impressive show at the triple-A All-Star game, Manny Acosta, picked up his 10th save of the season.

Toledo starter Yorman Bazardo lasted just three innings as the Braves touched up the right-hander for seven earned runs. Bazardo dropped the decision and fell to 7-4 with a 4.03 ERA. Jeremy Johnson and Eulogio De La Cruz came out of the Mud Hens' pen to shut down the Richmond bats. Johnson dealt four innings and De La Cruz picked up the last six outs for Toledo. The two held the Braves scoreless in for the final six frames.

The Braves continue their six-game road trip with a four-game series at Columbus. The Braves are scheduled to start RHP Lance Cormier (1-1, 6.65 ERA). He will face the Clippers' RHP Emiliano Fruto (3-5, 3.86 ERA) in the series opener. First pitch on Saturday is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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International League Stories from July 13, 2007


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