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IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

Comeback Falls Short, G-Braves Lose Third Straight

July 5, 2015 - International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - Cedric Hunter launched a two-run home run in the ninth inning, but that was not enough to keep the Gwinnett Braves (42-41) from losing 5-4 to the Charlotte Knights (47-37) on Sunday at Coolray Field.

The G-Braves have dropped three straight contests to the Knights after posting a season-high five-game winning streak from June 29 to July 3.

The deciding run came against Gwinnett right-handed reliever Aaron Kurcz in the top of the seventh inning. Matt Davidson lifted his second sacrifice fly of the game, scoring Micah Johnson to extend the Knights' lead to 5-2.

Kurcz also allowed a two-run single to Jason Coats in the fifth inning that busted a 2-2 tie, but both of those runs were charged to right-handed starter Brandon Barker (L, 0-1). Barker lasted 4.1 innings and gave up four runs on four hits with three walks and seven strikeouts in his Triple-A debut. He threw 91 pitches, 54 for strikes.

His counterpart, right-handed starter Terance Marin (W, 3-0), went twice as long for the Knights. He lasted 8.2 innings with four runs allowed on six hits, a walk and a strikeout. He threw 93 pitches (63 strikes), but his final pitch landed behind the right-field wall as Hunter's team-leading fifth homer of the year.

Sean Kazmar represented the tying run at first base after a single against left-handed reliever Zach Phillips in the ninth, but Daniel Castro popped out to Johnson in shallow right field to end the game.

Kurcz worked 2.2 innings with one run and four hits allowed to go with a walk and a strikeout. Righty Arodys Vizcaino tossed a perfect eighth inning with one strikeout, and left-hander Andrew McKirahan, who is on a Major League rehab assignment for the Atlanta Braves, pitched around a two-out double by Leury Garcia to hold the Knights scoreless in the ninth inning.

Barker did not allow a hit through the first two innings, but each of the first three batters of the third inning singled. Chris Marrero and Tyler Colvin opened the frame with consecutive singles, and Johnson drove in Marrero before Barker could record an out. Davidson tacked on the second run with a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Colvin and put the Knights in front 2-0.

Gwinnett battled back to tie the game at 2-2 thanks to Jose Peraza's sacrifice fly scoring Castro in the third inning and Kazmar's solo home run in the fourth inning.

Peraza produced his team-leading 29th multi-hit game of the season, going 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Kazmar went 2-for-4 with his first homer of the year, a run scored and an RBI. Hunter homered for the third time in his last six games, going 1-for-4 with a run scored and two RBIs.

Johnson paced the Charlotte offense, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI. Coats and Davidson drove in the Knights' other four runs with two RBIs apiece.

The G-Braves and Knights wrap up the three-game series with a 6:35 p.m. game on Monday at Coolray Field. Gwinnett will start right-hander Alex White (1-0, 2.35 ERA), while Charlotte will counter with right-hander Kyle Drabek (3-5, 2.86 ERA). Tony Schiavone has the play-by-play call on 97.7 FM and WSBRadio.com beginning at 6 p.m.

On "$5 Monday," all seats (excluding the Home Plate Club) are just $5 when purchased online at GwinnettBraves.com/tickets. It's also a "Meal Deal Monday," featuring buffalo chicken tenders, fries and a 16 oz. soft drink for only $7 at the Flashpoint Grille. To purchase tickets, call the Coolray Field Ticket Office at 678-277-0340 or visit GwinnettBraves.com/tickets.

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