IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

Hunter's Homer Lifts G-Braves Over Rochester

Published on August 4, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - Cedric Hunter blasted a three-run home run in the seventh inning to send the Gwinnett Braves (58-51) to a 5-2 victory over the Rochester Red Wings (56-54) on Tuesday at Coolray Field.

The G-Braves have won 10 of their last 11 games, including five straight to move ahead of Charlotte (59-52) for second place in both the International League South Division and the IL Wild Card standings. Gwinnett's winning percentage of .5321 is slightly higher than Charlotte's .5315. Columbus (61-49) currently leads the IL Wild Card race by 2.5 games.

Hunter's team-leading ninth homer of the season, and second in as many nights, came off right-handed reliever Michael Tonkin and broke open a game that had been tied 2-2 since the Red Wings got to Gwinnett right-handed starter Sugar Ray Marimon for a pair of runs in the fifth inning.

After four scoreless frames, Marimon gave up a single to Jose Martinez and walked Chris Hermann to begin the inning, and both runners came around to score to tie the game at 2-2. Martinez crossed home plate on a groundout to shortstop by Eric Farris, and Herrmann scored on a single up the middle by James Beresford.

Marimon completed 6.0 innings to finish his outing with the game still tied. He gave up two runs on five hits with a walk and three strikeouts to notch his first quality start in three outings since his return from the disabled list on July 24.

Right-handed reliever David Peterson (W, 2-0) got through the seventh unscathed after a leadoff single from Martinez. Peterson recorded two outs in the eighth but also allowed a single to Beresford. Left-hander Hunter Cervenka (H, 2) came in and finished the inning with his only strikeout of the night.

Cervenka had two outs and a runner on second base in the ninth inning when he hit Herrmann to put bring the potential tying run to the plate. Gwinnett called on right-hander Vin Mazzaro (S, 1), who got Eric Farris to ground out to second base to end the game.

The G-Braves gave Marimon a one-run lead to work with in the bottom of the second. Todd Cunningham got Gwinnett's first hit of the night off right-hander Michael Bowden with a one-out single. Sean Kazmar drove Cunningham home on a double to left-center field.

Mallex Smith nearly single-handedly got the G-Braves their second run. He doubled off the right-field wall with one out in the third, stole third base for his 16th steal with Gwinnett and 39th of the season, and scored when Eric Young, Jr. grounded out to shortstop.

Those two runs were charged to Bowden. He lasted 5.2 innings, gave up seven hits, walked two and had one strikeout. Left-hander Aaron Thompson (L, 1-1) was charged with two of the three runs from Hunter's homer, as he gave up back-to-back one-out singles in the seventh. He lasted 1.2 innings and struck out one batter. Tonkin gave up two hits and was charged with the final run in 1.2 innings.

Hunter ended the night 2-for-4 with the homer, three RBIs and a run scored. Smith also went 2-for-4 and scored two runs. Cunningham led the way with three singles and a run scored in four at-bats.

Martinez and Beresford each had 2-for-4 nights for Rochester. Martinez scored a run and Beresford had an RBI.

The G-Braves will look to clinch a series victory over the Red Wings at 6:35 p.m. on Wednesday in game three of the four-game series at Coolray Field. Right-hander Kanekoa Texeira (3-3, 3.58 ERA) will start for Gwinnett against left-hander Taylor Rogers (8-8, 3.65 ERA) of Rochester. Tony Schiavone has the play-by-play call on 97.7 FM and WSBRadio.com beginning at 6 p.m.

The game will also feature Baseball Bingo, when fans can follow the on-field action for a chance to win great prizes on "Winning Wednesday." Kids ages 12 and under will also receive a voucher for a free hot dog, chips and soft drink when they enter the stadium. 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 4, 2015


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