IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

Bulls Stampede G-Braves, 10-8

Published on July 24, 2012 under International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - Tim Beckham, Cole Figueroa and Rich Thompson all collected three hits each as the Durham Bulls defeated the Gwinnett Braves 10-8 on Tuesday night at Coolray Field. Ernesto Mejia and Stefan Gartrell each plated three RBIs apiece, but the G-Braves still fell to 2.0 games behind the Bulls for third place in the International League South Division.

For the fifth-straight game on the homestand, Gwinnett's opponent scored the first run. Thompson led off the game with a triple for Durham and scored when the next hitter, Will Rhymes lifted a sacrifice fly into right field. Stephen Vogt followed with a double and scored when Leslie Anderson singled him home for a 2-0 Bulls' lead.

Gwinnett responded in a major way in their half of third inning, crossing the plate five times against Durham starter Alex Torres. Lance Zawadzki, Luis Durango and Felix Pie all walked to load the bases, and Mejia capitalized on Torres' lack of command when he singled to score the first two runs of the night for Gwinnett. Gartrell followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 4-3. After back-to-back walks to Josh Wilson and Ruben Gotay loaded the bases once again, J.C. Boscan capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly that sent Gartrell home for a 5-2 Gwinnett lead.

Torres worked 2.1 innings, surrendering five earned runs on just two hits. The left-hander yielded six walks while striking out five in the no decision.

G-Braves' starter Julio Teheran would not fare so well with a lead. The right-hander allowed four more runs in the top half of the fourth and exited the game after 3.1 innings pitched for the no decision. Teheran surrendered six earned runs on eight hits, walking one and striking out one. It was his sixth start in which he failed to last 4.0 innings this season.

Durham began their four-run fourth inning as Reid Brignac drew a leadoff walk from Teheran. Hits by Beckham and Jesus Feliciano loaded the bases, and Figueroa drove in the first run of the frame with a single. Thompson delivered an RBI groundout, and Rhymes contributed a two-run double that put the Bulls back ahead, 6-5. Dusty Hughes took over in relief of Teheran with one out in the fourth and worked out of the jam.

The G-Braves took the lead right back, 7-6, in the bottom of the fourth inning against Bulls reliever Brandon Gomes. Jack Wilson and Pie each singled to set the table and Gartrell scored them both with a two-out double to left-center field.

The Bulls, however, tied the game at 7-7 in the fifth on a single by Figueroa scoring Beckham. In the sixth, Durham scored twice against Hughes to take a 9-7 lead. Feliciano doubled down the left field line scoring Chris Gimenez and Anderson for the deciding runs. Hughes (L, 1-2) finished his night with three runs, two earned on four hits over 2.1 innings.

Andy Russell turned in 1.1 scoreless innings in relief of Hughes and Billy Bullock yielded a run over the final 2.0 innings for Gwinnett.

Mejia drilled a one-out RBI single to left-center in the ninth to score Pie and cut Gwinnett's deficit to 10-8. Gartrell singled and Wilson walked to bring Gotay to the plate as the potential winning run, but Bulls reliever Bryan Augenstein (S, 3) induced him into a game-ending double play.

Gomes (W, 5-2) ended up with the win despite allowing two runs over 2.2 innings for Durham. Frank De Los Santos (H, 5) pitched 3.0 scoreless innings in relief as well.

Gartrell led the Gwinnett offensive charge as he went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Mejia went 2-for-5 with three RBIs, raising his International League leading total to 71 on the season.

Five Durham hitters recorded multiple-hit nights, led by Figueroa, who went 3-for-5 with three RBIs. Rhymes also drove in three runs on 2-for-4 hitting. Feliciano added a 2-for-5 game and two RBIs.

The Gwinnett Braves (47-58) and Durham Bulls (49-56) will play the second game of their four-game series at Coolray Field on Wednesday night. The G-Braves will have left-hander Jose Lugo (2-6, 6.03) on the mound, while the Bulls counter with right-hander Lance Pendleton (5-4, 4.10) for a 7:05 PM scheduled first pitch. Listen to the broadcast on WDUN 550 AM and 102.9 FM in Gainesville, GA with Tony Schiavone calling the play-by-play.

Wednesday night is "Christmas in July" at Coolray Field. The G-Braves will host a toy drive with all toys collected going to North Atlanta Toys for Tots. The night will also include an appearance by Santa, a Christmas Ornament giveaway to the first 1,500 fans, numerous holiday-themed contests, prizes and more. For a complete list of "Christmas in July" events and prizes, visit gwinnettbraves.com.

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.

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International League Stories from July 24, 2012


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