IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

G-Braves Turn Six Double Plays, Blank Knights

Published on April 22, 2013 under International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - In a game where the visiting team out-hit the home squad by five, the Gwinnett Braves (9-10) took advantage of a season-high six double plays to get out of trouble and clip the Charlotte Knights (6-13), 1-0 on Monday night.

The G-Braves' offense did not need to produce much as pitching and defense keyed the effort. Starter Yohan Flande (W, 1-0) was on his game, hurling 6.0 innings, allowing seven hits, walking one and striking out three. It was Flande's first quality start since August 31, 2012, when he tossed 6.1 innings of one-run baseball at Norfolk.

Flande outdueled Simon Castro (L, 0-3), who tossed 6.0 innings for Charlotte, allowing three hits and one earned run.

The lone run of the game came in the fifth inning and proved to be the winner. Jordan Parraz walked and stole second base, then came around to score on an RBI double by Jose Yepez.

With a one run lead, Flande went out for the seventh but ran into trouble. Josh Phegley smoked a leadoff double to left, his third hit of the game, to put himself in scoring position. Flande then hit Seth Loman with a pitch to put runners on first and second with none out.

David Carpenter came in the game and got a fielder's choice for the first out. After walking Jim Gallagher to load the bases, Carpenter induced Drew Garcia into the inning-ending 4-6-3 double play, keeping the lead at 1-0.

Gwinnett ran into more trouble in the eighth inning, as Brandon Short reached on a hit-by-pitch and Carlos Sanchez reached on an error, putting runners on first and second with no outs. The Knights tried to move the runners over with a bunt, but reliever Ryan Buchter threw to third, forcing out Short. After a walk loaded the bases, reliever Cory Rasmus got Phegley to fly out to shallow left field. Sanchez would tag and score, but after an appeal he was ruled out for leaving third base early, ending the threat. Charlotte manager Joel Skinner was ejected by third base umpire Sean Barber soon after.

The Knights would not go away in the ninth, as a one-out walk by Steve Tolleson and a single by Gallagher put runners on the corners with one out. However, Rasmus (S, 2) got out of trouble with the game-ending 4-6-3 double play. The sixth double play of the night, the fifth turned by the infield, ended Charlotte's comeback bid and helped the G-Braves win their first game at home since last Monday night.

Yepez drove in the lone run of the game on 1-for-2 hitting. Constanza went 1-for-4 and Leonard went 1-for-3 for Gwinnett's other two hits on the night.

Phegley had a big night in the losing cause for Charlotte, going 3-for-4, but he could not come through with the bases loaded in the eighth. Both Short and Gallagher went 2-for-3.

The Gwinnett Braves will hit the road for a two-city, eight-game road trip beginning on Tuesday night at Louisville Slugger Field in Louisville, KY. Game one of a four-game series against the Louisville Bats begins at 6:35 PM. Right-hander Tim Corcoran (1-1, 3.21) will start for the G-Braves against right-hander Pedro Villarreal (0-1, 2.84) of the Bats. Listen to the broadcast on WDUN 550 AM and 102.9 FM with Tony Schiavone calling the play-by-play.

The G-Braves' next home game is on Thursday, May 2 at 6:05 PM against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. 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 April 22, 2013


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