IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

G-Braves Blanked Again, 7-0

August 26, 2012 - International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - For the second-straight night, Syracuse needed just one pitcher to shut down the Gwinnett Braves. Right-hander Jeff Mandel threw the second-straight complete game shutout against the G-Braves in as many nights, leading the Chiefs to a 7-0 win at Coolray Field. Mandel's six hitter, his first nine-inning effort this season, ensured a split of the four-game series.

Syracuse left-hander John Lannan threw 9.0 scoreless, three-hit innings on Saturday night, and Mandel (W, 5-5) continued the trend on Sunday, scattering six hits over 9.0 innings while striking out four. He walked none in a 102-pitch, 69-strike outing.

After escaping major damage in the second inning, Gwinnett starter Yohan Flande was not able to make it past the third. The left-hander surrendered four runs on five hits in the frame, including five-straight one-out hits. Josh Johnson and Chris Marrero reached on back-to-back singles, and Carlos Rivero singled to left-center, scoring them both. Jesus Valdez singled to score Rivero, and Sandy Leon added a double plating Valdez for a 4-0 lead.

Flande (L, 7-9) allowed four earned runs on six hits, walked three and struck out two over just 2.2 innings of work. Cole McCurry relieved Flande with two outs in the third inning and worked 3.1 scoreless innings. McCurry struck out three and walked none, departing after Stefan Gartrell singled in his pinch-hit at-bat for the pitcher in the sixth.

Ryan Buchter entered the game for the G-Braves in the seventh and allowed three more runs over 1.1 innings. Rivero singled home Johnson to raise the lead to 5-0 in the seventh, and a two-run triple by Eury Perez ensured the final score of 7-0 in the eighth. Anthony Varvaro relieved the left-hander, pitching 1.2 innings of scoreless baseball with one strikeout.

Gwinnett collected just six total hits on Sunday, with Jose Constanza accounting for two of them as he went 2-for-4. Jose Yepez had the only extra-base hit, notching a double off Mandel in the eighth.

Rivero and Leon led the offensive charge in Syracuse's 12-hit attack, both registering three-hit games. Rivero went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored and Leon recorded a 3-for-4 day with one RBI. Johnson went 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

The Gwinnett Braves (61-75) welcome the Pawtucket Red Sox (73-63) to town on Monday night as the two teams begin the final four-game series of the season at Coolray Field. First pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM. The Gwinnett starting pitcher has yet to be announced, while the PawSox will start right-hander Nelson Figueroa (10-5, 4.40). The radio broadcast will air on WDUN 550 AM / 102.9 FM in Gainesville, Georgia with Tony Schiavone calling the play-by-play. The television broadcast will air on CSS.

Monday night is Kids Eat Free Monday as all kids 12 and under will receive a voucher for a free hot dog, a bag of chips and a small soda. It's also the fifth night of "Drive Me Crazy" as the G-Braves gather donations of canned foods, clothes, sports equipment, toys and more to restock local shelters and storage centers.

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.

Check out the Gwinnett Stripers Statistics



International League Stories from August 26, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central