IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

Knights Edge G-Braves in 10, 2-1

Published on April 22, 2016 under International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC - The Charlotte Knights (6-8) pushed across a run with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th and edged past the Gwinnett Braves (10-5) by a 2-1 score Thursday night in game one of the two-game series at BB&T Ballpark.

For the first time all season, the G-Braves' bats were held in check, as Gwinnett could muster only four singles in the game.

The Knights plated the first run of the game in the bottom of the sixth, when Kevan Smith drilled a two-out single to right, moved to second on a passed ball and scored on a single to center by Andy Parrino off G-Braves' reliever Kanekoa Texeira.

The 1-0 lead for Charlotte held up until the top of the ninth, when Knights' reliever Tommy Kahnle walked Chase d'Arnaud to begin the inning. d'Arnaud then moved to second on a wild pitch, stole third and scored on Kahnle's second wild pitch of the inning to tie the score.

After shutting down the Knights in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings, Gwinnett's Brandon Cunniff would give up the winning run in the bottom of the 10th. Cunniff walked Matt Davidson to begin the inning and a sacrifice bunt by Jason Coats moved pinch runner Leury Garcia to second. J.B. Shuck was intentionally walked and Travis Ishikawa hit a pop-up into shallow left that was dropped by G-Braves' shortstop Sean Kazmar Jr. The miscue loaded the bases with one out, and the next batter, Smith, rolled a ball up the first base line, where Gwinnett's Brandon Snyder stepped on first but could not complete the double play at the plate, scoring Garcia with the winning run.

Joel De La Cruz started for Gwinnett and pitched 3.1 innings, allowing five hits and one walk, while striking out three. Texeira worked 2.2 innings of two-hit relief, allowing one unearned run and striking out three. Danny Burawa went 1.0 inning, yielding one hit and one walk. Jose Ramirez pitched 1.0 inning, striking out the side and allowing a hit. Cunniff (L, 1-1) worked 1.2 innings, allowing an unearned run and walking two.

Charlotte starter Jacob Turner silenced the G-Braves' bats by going 7.0 scoreless innings, surrendering four hits and a walk, while striking out five. Michael Ynoa (H, 1) went 1.0 inning, walking two. Kahnle pitched 1.0 inning, allowing the tying run by walking two and throwing two wild pitches. Tyler Barnette (W, 1-0) pitched a perfect 10th inning to get the win.

Rio Ruiz led the Gwinnett offense with a 2-for-3 night. Smith and Parrino were each 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Knights. Smith scored once.

The G-Braves and Knights conclude the two-game series Friday night at BB&T Ballpark. Right-hander John Gant (1-0, 5.19) will start for Gwinnett and Charlotte will counter with righty Miguel Gonzalez (1-0, 2.45). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Tony Schiavone has the play-by-play call on 97.7 FM at 6:35 p.m.

The G-Braves return home to Coolray Field on Friday, April 29 with a 7:05 p.m. game against the Columbus Clippers. Tickets are on sale now at the Coolray Field Ticket Office, call 678-277-0340 or visit GwinnettBraves.com/tickets to purchase.

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International League Stories from April 22, 2016


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