IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

Gwinnett 4, Durham 11

Published on April 8, 2017 under International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - After the game remained close early, the Durham Bulls pulled ahead late to defeat the Gwinnett Braves 11-4 in front of 4,721 on Saturday night at Coolray Field.

The Bulls scored five runs in the sixth inning and two in the seventh to take the lead and didn't look back in handing the G-Braves their third straight loss to begin the season.

Durham got off to a quick start as the first batter of the game, Dayron Varona, tripled to right against G-Braves starter Matt Wisler (L, 0-1). Jake Bauers then grounded out, allowing Varona to come home with the game's first run.

Gwinnett was quick to answer in the bottom of the first against Bulls starter Taylor Guerrieri (W, 1-0). Ozzie Albies led off with a single and stole second base. After advancing to third on a fielder's choice, Albies came home to even the score on a sacrifice fly from Matt Tuiasosopo. Gwinnett took the lead as the next batter, Rio Ruiz, reached on a single and Mel Rojas Jr. hustled home from second base.

The Bulls evened the score in the second inning on a double from Jake Hager scoring Pat Leonard.

In the bottom of the second, Gwinnett caught a break as Xavier Avery reached base on a dropped third strike with two outs. Albies made Durham pay for the miscue as he drove a triple into the right-center field gap, scoring Avery to give Gwinnett a 3-2 lead.

Wisler made the lead stand for a few innings, retiring seven straight batters between the third and fifth innings before allowing a leadoff single to Varona in the sixth. After issuing a pair of walks to load the bases, Wisler was pulled from the game for Joel De La Cruz. A fielder's choice and an error on a ground ball from Casey Gillaspie permitted a pair of runs to score, giving Durham a 4-3 lead. The Bulls increased their advantage to 7-3 thanks to two more Gwinnett errors, a walk, and a single from Mike Marjama.

Wisler allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits while walking two and striking out one in 5.0-plus innings in his first start of the season.

Durham added another pair of runs in the seventh against G-Braves left-hander Kevin Chapman to lengthen their lead to 9-3.

Gwinnet got one back against Bulls reliever Ryan Garton in the bottom of the seventh as Avery led off with a double and came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Lane Adams.

Chapman returned to the mound in the eighth and set down the Bulls in order with a pair of strikeouts and a ground out. In the bottom half, Jeff Ames entered for Durham and pitched a scoreless frame to hold the Bulls' lead at five runs.

Durham right fielder Shane Peterson singled to right with two outs in the ninth, scoring two more runs as the Bulls built their largest lead of the night to 11-4. In the bottom half, Ryne Stanek pitched a clean ninth to finish the Bulls' third win in a row.

For Gwinnett, Albies finished 2-for-5 with a triple, run scored, and an RBI. Avery scored a pair of runs in the loss. For Durham, Peterson led the way with three RBIs, while four Bulls scored two runs.

In the series finale on Sunday afternoon, the G-Braves will send Lawrenceville native Lucas Sims (0-0, 0.00) to the mound. Durham is scheduled to start left-hander Ryan Yarbrough (0-0, 0.00). First pitch at Coolray Field is set for 1:05 p.m. Tony Schiavone has the play-by-play call on 97.7 FM The Other Side of the River beginning at 12:35 p.m.

As part of the first Sunday Funday of the season (sponsored by Georgia United Credit Union), fans are invited to play catch on the field before the game at approximately 12:05 p.m. Following the game, kids ages 12 and under are welcome to run the bases. For tickets, call 678-277-0340 or visit GwinnettBraves.com/tickets.

Check out the Gwinnett Stripers Statistics

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International League Stories from April 8, 2017


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