IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

Gwinnett Squanders Early Lead in 3-2 Defeat

Published on July 8, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - Michael Almanzar's third hit in as many at-bats plated the deciding runs as the Norfolk Tides (49-35) defeated the Gwinnett Braves (42-44) 3-2 on Wednesday at Coolray Field. The G-Braves have now lost six straight games, matching their longest losing streak of the season.

With the bases loaded in the sixth inning against Gwinnett left-handed starter Greg Smith (L, 3-4), Almanzar lifted a fly ball to left field that bounced over the wall for a ground-rule double. That hit scored two runs to turn the G-Braves' 2-1 lead into a one-run deficit.

Gwinnett held a 2-0 lead for Smith into the fifth, as the offense produced a run in both the second and third innings off Tides' right-handed starter Mike Wright (W, 5-0).

Cedric Hunter scored the first run in the second inning when Sean Kazmar hit into a 6-4-3 double play that followed Hunter's leadoff double and a single to left field by Christian Bethancourt.

Mallex Smith ignited a rally the next inning with a leadoff triple into the left-center field gap. He came home on a single to right field by Daniel Castro that extended the Gwinnett shortstop's hitting streak to five games and the team's lead to 2-0.

Norfolk threatened to score in both the third and fourth innings, but terrific G-Braves' defensive plays kept them scoreless.

Paul Janish nearly drove in the Tides' first run in the third inning with Almanzar on second base. However, Castro dove for the grounder and threw out Almanzar at the plate as he tried to score from second. In the fourth, left fielder Eric Young, Jr. made a leaping catch at the wall to rob Dariel Alvarez of a two-run home run.

Janish did get the Tides' first run home in his next at-bat. His ground ball up the middle bounced off Castro's glove when he dove to make the play, which allowed Almanzar to score from third base after he had hit a one-out double. Janish and Almanzar both finished the game 3-for-4. Janish had one RBI, while Almanzar had two RBIs and a run scored.

The G-Braves got one hit against Wright after the third inning when Hunter laced a two-out single to left field in the sixth. He stole second base but was left stranded. Overall, Wright gave up two runs on six hits and three walks with three strikeouts. He threw 102 pitches, 62 for strikes.

Gwinnett did no better in the final two innings against the Norfolk bullpen. Joey Terdoslavich led off the eighth with a single against right-hander Steve Johnson (H, 4), but Terdoslavich was caught stealing second base when Adonis Garcia struck out swinging. Johnson got Hunter to ground out to first base to end the inning, and righty Pedro Beato (S, 7) set the G-Braves down in order in the ninth.

Smith completed 6.0 innings for Gwinnett with three runs allowed on nine hits and a walk to go with three strikeouts in 79 pitches (54 strikes).

A pair G-Braves' relievers covered the final three innings. Left-hander Matt Marksberry pitched a perfect seventh inning, and Peter Moylan worked around one single each in the eighth and ninth innings.

Hunter was the only G-Braves batter with more than one hit. He ended the night 2-for-4 with a run scored.

The G-Braves and Tides conclude the three-game series at 12:05 p.m. Thursday at Coolray Field. Right-hander Tyrell Jenkins (5-5, 3.00 ERA with Double-A Mississippi) will make his Triple-A debut for Gwinnett. Right-hander Tyler Wilson (3-4, 3.18 ERA) will counter for Norfolk. Tony Schiavone has the play-by-play call on 97.7 FM and WSBRadio.com beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Thursday is "Daycare Day," presented by Belk, as the G-Braves host daycare and summer camp groups from around the area. Tickets are on sale now by calling the Coolray Field Ticket Office at 678-277-0340 or by visiting GwinnettBraves.com/tickets.

Check out the Gwinnett Stripers Statistics

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International League Stories from July 8, 2015


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