IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

Gilmartin Grabs First Triple-A Win, 8-2

August 11, 2012 - International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - Left-hander Sean Gilmartin earned his first Triple-A victory with 6.2 impressive innings as the Gwinnett Braves defeated the Louisville Bats, 8-2 on Saturday night at Coolray Field. Stefan Gartrell led the offensive attack with a 2-for-3 game including his 18th home run and three RBIs. Josh Kroeger added a pinch-hit three-run homer in the eighth to put the game out of reach.

Gilmartin (W, 1-1), the Atlanta Braves' first-round pick in 2011, made his Coolray Field debut on Saturday after starting his Triple-A career with two road outings. The left-hander was outstanding, limiting the Bats to just two runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out three. The Florida State University product threw 96 pitches, 61 for strikes and exited to cheers from the 7,747 fans in attendance.

The G-Braves gave Gilmartin an early lead to work with, scoring a run in the first inning. Luis Durango led off the game with a walk from Louisville starter and former Parkview High School standout Tim Gustafson. Durango stole second base for his International League leading 41st theft of the season, then scored on an awkward defensive play by the Bats. Ernesto Mejia reached on a dropped third strike, and catcher Corky Miller's throw was dropped by first baseman Neftali Soto for an error, allowing Durango to come home.

Louisville tied the game at 1-1 against Gilmartin in the third inning. Miller led off the inning with a walk, reaching base for the first of three times on the night, then was driven home on an RBI single by Denis Phipps.

Gwinnett took the lead for good in the fourth. Mejia led off the frame with a double that was scorched into the left-center gap. Gartrell followed with a two-run blast to left-center, giving the G-Braves a 3-1 lead.

Gartrell drove home Felix Pie with a double in the sixth, raising the lead to 4-1. Gilmartin gave that run back to Louisville in the top of the seventh as Miller blasted a solo shot to left. After a walk to Phipps and a single by Willie Harris, the Gwinnett starter's night was done.

Cole McCurry (H, 3) stranded two inherited runners for Gilmartin in the seventh, then added a scoreless eighth inning. Andy Russell worked a scoreless non-save ninth.

Kroeger increased the lead to 8-2 in the eighth with a pinch-hit three-run homer to right, his 10th clout overall this season and first with Gwinnett. His blast was just the second by a G-Braves' pinch hitter this season.

Gustafson (L, 4-4) took the loss with four runs, three earned over 6.0 innings for Louisville. Carlos Fisher surrendered an additional three earned runs over 1.0 inning of work for the Bats.

The Gwinnett Braves (53-68) take on the Louisville Bats (48-73) in game three of the four-game series on Sunday night at Coolray Field, first pitch scheduled for 5:05 PM. Atlanta Braves' right-hander Tommy Hanson (12-5, 4.29 with Atlanta) is expected to make a rehab start for Gwinnett. Former G-Braves right-hander Todd Redmond (8-8, 3.36) will start for the Bats. The radio broadcast will air on WDUN 550 AM and 102.9 FM in Gainesville, Georgia.

Bring your ball and glove for a pre-game catch in the outfield starting when the gates open and lasting for 20 minutes on Family Sunday. All kids 12 and under will get to run the bases following the game. The Gwinnett Braves will also be recognizing organizations that fund or run safety programs for children on Summer Safety night.

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 August 11, 2012


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