IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

G-Braves Edge Past Mud Hens in 15, 4-3

Published on April 28, 2016 under International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


TOLEDO, OH - An RBI single to right by Ronnier Mustelier in the top of the 15th inning pushed the Gwinnett Braves to a 4-3 win over the Toledo Mud Hens in the finale of the three-game series Thursday afternoon at Fifth Third Field.

Mustelier's second hit of the game came off Toledo reliever Dustin Molleken (L, 0-1) with one out in the 15th and scored Reid Brignac with the go-ahead run. Brignac had led off the inning with his third hit of the game and moved into scoring position when Brandon Snyder bunted him to second.

The back-and-forth marathon had some memorable moments over the 4 hours and 34 minutes, most notably Lawrenceville's Lucas Sims striking out 11 over 7.0 innings. The 11 strikeouts were a career-high for Sims and the most by a Gwinnett pitcher since Daniel Rodriguez also struck out 11 on May 20, 2014 against Indianapolis. Sims allowed just five hits, and one earned run while walking two and throwing 73 of his 104 pitches for strikes.

Steven Moya picked up the game's first RBI in the bottom of the seventh, doubling home Casey McGehee who led off the inning with a single against Sims.

Then in the top of the ninth, with two outs, the bases loaded and the Mud Hens clinging that 1-0 lead, Toledo reliever Bobby Parnell had a chance to win the game. Gwinnett's Braeden Schlehuber hit a ground ball to the right of the mound and Parnell fielded the ball and threw towards first for the final out, but the throw was in the dirt and then dropped, allowing Rio Ruiz to score the tying run.

The extra-inning contest stayed at 1-1 until the 13th inning when Mustelier doubled home Ruiz and Chase d'Arnaud to put the G-Braves up 3-1.

However, in the bottom of the 13th, David Peterson (BS, 2) could not close the game as he allowed RBI singles to Nate Schierholtz and James McCann which tied the game at 3-3.

After a scoreless 14th inning, Mustelier delivered the game-winning hit in the 15th inning, which equaled the longest game in G-Braves' team history, matching the length of the contests on May 17, 2010 vs. Lehigh Valley and May 12, 2011 at Pawtucket.

After Sims, Gwinnett used six relievers: Rob Wooten (no hits and one strikeout in 1.1 innings), Ian Krol (no hits and one strikeout in 0.2 innings), Jose Ramirez (two hits and three strikeouts in 1.2 innings), Matt Marksberry (no hits in 1.1 innings), Peterson (two runs on three hits and two walks in 1.0 inning) and Brandon Cunniff (W, 2-1) who picked up the win by allowing no runs on two hits and a walk over the final 2.0 innings.

Making a spot start, Warwick Saupold started for Toledo and held the G-Braves to just three hits over 6.0 innings, lowering his ERA to 1.00. Toledo used seven relievers after Saupold exited the game, as Preston Guilmet, Logan Kensing, Drake Britton, Parnell, Ruben Alaniz, Jose Valdez and Molleken combined to allow eight hits and four runs in 9.0 innings while striking out seven and walking six.

At the plate for Gwinnett, Emilio Bonifacio and Brignac were each 3-for-7 and Mustelier was 2-for-6 with a double and three RBIs. Ruiz walked three times and scored twice.

Dixon Machado was 3-for-6 for Toledo with a run and Schierholtz was 3-for-7 with an RBI.

The G-Braves return to Coolray Field Friday night to begin a nine-game homestand. Friday night's opener will be game one of a three-game set against the Columbus Clippers. Gwinnett will send righty Casey Kelly (1-0, 3.65 ERA) to the mound while the Clippers will counter with right-hander Will Roberts (2-1, 2.08 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Tony Schiavone and Nick Green have the play-by-play call on 97.7 FM at 6:35 p.m.

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International League Stories from April 28, 2016


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