IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

Hunter, G-Braves Roll Past Tides, 9-3

Published on August 27, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - Cedric Hunter extended his International League-best hitting streak to 21 games with a huge night at the plate on Thursday, going 2-for-3 with a triple, home run, three runs scored and four RBIs. That effort led the Gwinnett Braves (71-61) to a 9-3 win over the Norfolk Tides (73-59) in the opener of a crucial four-game series at Coolray Field.

With the win, the G-Braves closed to within 2.0 games of the Tides for first place in the IL South Division.

Hunter staked Gwinnett to a 1-0 lead in the second inning, belting a solo home run to right field off rehabbing Baltimore Orioles' right-hander Mike Wright. Hunter's team-leading 12th blast of the year extended his hitting streak to 21 games, one game shy of Jose Constanza's Gwinnett club record 22-game streak from June 22-July 19, 2012.

The G-Braves raised the lead to 4-0 in the sixth against Norfolk left-handed reliever Dana Eveland. Joey Terdoslavich opened the frame with double into the left-field corner and Hunter drew a walk. Sean Kazmar followed with a liner to left-center that got past Tides' center fielder Julio Borbon for a two-run triple. Jordan Lennerton capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly to center, plating Kazmar.

Left-hander Manny Banuelos, pitching on a rehab assignment for the Atlanta Braves, made his first start for Gwinnett since June 27. He pitched a scheduled 2.0 innings, allowing a hit and two walks while striking out none over 30 pitches, 14 strikes. Right-hander Victor Mateo replaced him in the third and cruised through four scoreless frames.

Mateo's scoreless run ended in the seventh. He walked two batters and hit another, then yielded an RBI fielder's choice to Borbon and a sacrifice fly to Sharlon Schoop. Right-hander David Peterson replaced Mateo with two outs and let an inherited runner score on an RBI single by Rey Navarro before finishing the inning. Norfolk's three-run rally cut the G-Braves' lead to 4-3.

But Hunter and the G-Braves had a quick response. Gwinnett loaded the bases against left-hander Cesar Cabral on singles by Mallex Smith and Todd Cunningham and a walk drawn by Hector Olivera. After a bases-loaded walk to Terdoslavich made it 5-3, Hunter cleared the bases with a triple into the right-field corner. Daniel Castro added an RBI single scoring Hunter, increasing the advantage to 9-3.

Mateo (W, 3-2) earned the win in relief despite giving up three runs on three hits over 4.2 innings. Peterson (H, 6) worked 1.1 innings with two hits and no runs to his own line. Right-hander Ryan Kelly pitched a perfect non-save ninth.

Wright (L, 8-1) took the loss for Norfolk, though he allowed just a run on two hits over 4.0 innings. Eveland was touched up for three runs over 2.0 innings, and Cabral gave up five runs on three hits without recording an out in the seventh. Left-hander Andy Oliver pitched 2.0 scoreless innings.

In addition to Hunter's big night that raised his team-leading RBI total to 69, Kazmar also finished 2-for-4 with a double, triple, run scored and two RBIs. Terdoslavich went 1-for-3 with a double, two runs scored and one RBI.

David Lough was the only Tides player to post a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 out of the leadoff spot. Borbon, Navarro and Schoop all had one RBI apiece.

The G-Braves and Tides play game two of the four-game series on Friday night at Coolray Field, first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Left-hander Greg Smith (6-4, 2.39 ERA) will start for Gwinnett, while Norfolk will counter with right-hander Elih Villanueva (3-3, 4.36 ERA). Tony Schiavone has the call beginning at 6:30 p.m. on 97.7 FM and WSBRadio.com.

Friday is the final "Fireworks Friday" night of the season, as a spectacular fireworks display follows the game. To purchase tickets, call the Coolray Field Ticket Office at 678-277-0340 or visit GwinnettBraves.com/tickets.

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International League Stories from August 27, 2015


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