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Gwinnett Stripers

Franco's Four RBIs Lead Stripers to 8-1 Win

May 8, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - A four-run fourth inning and a strong defensive effort propelled the Gwinnett Stripers to an 8-1 victory over the Charlotte Knights Tuesday night at Coolray Field.

Charlotte jumped on Stripers starter Kolby Allard in the first inning with four singles, including an RBI single from Patrick Leonard. But Allard, who now owns a 10.50 first-inning ERA (7 ER in 6.0 IP), stayed true to form - he owns a 0.32 ERA in 28.0 IP after the first - with 5.0 scoreless innings thereafter.

Gwinnett responded to Charlotte's first-inning run with four consecutive singles of their own to start things off. Two of those singles were run-scoring; the first from Austin Riley for his first career Triple-A RBI and the second from Carlos Franco. Franco's single was misplayed by right fielder Todd Cunningham, allowing Riley to score on the error for a 3-1 Gwinnett lead.

In the top of the fourth inning, Eddy Alvarez walked with one out. He attempted to score from first on a Cunningham double, but was thrown out at home plate by left fielder Danny Santana. Two batters later, Cunningham tried to score on a single by Charlie Tilson, but he, too, was gunned down at the plate by Santana, protecting the 3-1 advantage.

The Stripers broke the game open in the bottom half of the fourth, started by singles from Chris Stewart and Ezequiel Carrera. After an out, Rio Ruiz drilled a double off the wall in right for a 4-1 lead. Riley walked, then Franco ripped a two-run single to make it 6-1. Sean Kazmar Jr. followed with an RBI single of his own, driving in Riley.

Franco drove in the eighth and final run of the game in the sixth inning with an RBI groundout. His two-hit, four-RBI night put him back atop the International League leaderboard with 25 RBIs on the season.

Allard (W, 2-1) had a final line of 6.0 innings, eight hits, one earned run, three walks and two strikeouts on 92 pitches. David Peterson and Rex Brothers combined to throw 3.0 scoreless innings to end it.

Ruiz finished 3-for-4 with a double, RBI and three runs scored. Riley, in his second game for Gwinnett, went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.

Donny Roach (L, 3-2) yielded seven runs on 10 hits over 3.1 innings for Charlotte. Leonard went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.

The two sides meet again on the first of two Education Days on Wednesday at 10:35 a.m. Right-hander Andres Santiago (1-1, 4.03 ERA) goes for Gwinnett, while righty Dylan Covey (2-1, 3.08 ERA) will start for Charlotte. Tony Schiavone has the play-by-play call on 97.7 and 93.5 FM The Other Side of the River beginning at 10:05 a.m.

For tickets, call 678-277-0340 or visit GoStripers.com.

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International League Stories from May 8, 2018


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