IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

Late Errors Prove Costly in 3-0 Stripers Loss

Published on April 28, 2018 under International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - A sloppy ninth inning that included three errors by the Gwinnett Stripers resulted in a 3-0 loss to the Durham Bulls Saturday night at Coolray Field.

Phil Pfeifer entered the ninth in a 0-0 game but walked leadoff man Joe McCarthy. Brandon Snyder singled to put runners on first and second with no outs. Justin Williams laid down a bunt to move the runners, but first baseman Rio Ruiz made a heads-up play to throw the runner out at third. However, Pfeifer (L, 0-1) threw a wild pitch to the next batter, Adam Moore, to put both runners in scoring position.

Moore grounded to shortstop Sean Kazmar Jr., who threw a bullet home to beat the runner, but the ball hit off the glove of catcher Rob Brantly which allowed Snyder to score on the missed catch error. Two batters later, former Gwinnett player Micah Johnson singled to right field. Williams crossed first, then Moore collided with Brantly to force the ball out of his glove on a play at the plate, giving the Bulls a 3-0 lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Third baseman Jose Bautista also committed a fielding error on a grounder by Jason Coats in the ninth, but it didn't lead to any more runs.

The chaotic inning overshadowed left-hander Kolby Allard's best start of the season. The 20-year-old threw a season-high 6.1 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out five to lower his ERA to 2.57. Evan Phillips gave the Stripers 1.2 scoreless, hitless innings with four strikeouts in relief.

Meanwhile, the Gwinnett offense was shut down by Durham's pitchers, led by starter Forrest Snow, who was called upon in a spot start. Snow pitched 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing Gwinnett's two hits with two walks and a strikeout, lowering his season ERA to 1.25. Cody Hall and Ian Gibaut (W, 1-0) held the Stripers hitless over the final three innings.

Jaff Decker's double in the second inning and Ezequiel Carrera's single in the third accounted for both of Gwinnett's hits. Carrera was the only Striper to reach third base all night after he stole second base and moved to third on a fielder's choice, but he never crossed the plate. The shutout loss was Gwinnett's second this season.

The Stripers (7-13) will rely on staff ace Mike Soroka (2-0, 1.99) to turn things around in the series finale Sunday at 1:05 p.m. The Bulls (10-10) will go with righty Ryan Weber (0-0, 0.00). Tony Schiavone has the play-by-play call on 97.7 FM The Other Side of the River beginning at 12:35 p.m.

For tickets, call 678-277-0340 or visit GoStripers.com.

Check out the Gwinnett Stripers Statistics

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International League Stories from April 28, 2018


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