IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

R-Braves game notes

Published on April 7, 2006 under International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


TONIGHT'S GAME: The second of a four game series and the second of eight meetings, four at The Diamond. Richmond is 1-0 vs. the Bisons. The Braves were 4-4 vs. the Bisons last season, 2-2 at The Diamond. The Braves are 33-45 all-time vs. the Bisons. These clubs met on Opening Day for the second straight season. The Braves and Bisons also met in the 2004 Governors' Cup Finals won by Buffalo. Richmond was 16-32 vs. the North last season. The Braves, Durham, and Charlotte are all 1-0 in the South Division. Buffalo is one of three 0-1 clubs in the North.

YESTERDAY'S GAME: The Braves rallied to win on Opening Day, 5-4 over the Bisons Thursday. The Braves fell behind 2-0 in the first but rallied for two runs in the eighth inning to earn their third straight win in a season opener. Jason Cooper smacked a two-run double in the first to give the Bisons the lead. A Wes Timmons sac fly in the second got the Braves on the board. Jake Gautreau drilled a homer in the fourth to make it 3-1. The Braves answered with a James Jurries homer to make it 3-2 in the home half. Cooper tripled a run home in the fifth to make it 4-2. The Braves rallied in the eighth, helped by two Buffalo errors. Bill McCarthy knocked the tying and go-ahead runs home with a single. The Bisons threatened in the ninth, before a game-ending, five assist rundown. Kevin Barry earned an opening day win for the second straight year with three innings of scoreless relief. Jake Dittler took the loss. McCarthy had two hits for the Braves. Four Bisons had two hits. Cooper knocked in three runs.

OPENING (GROUNDHOG) DAY: The Braves won on Opening Day for the third straight year. The Braves beat Buffalo 5-4 on Opening Day for the second straight year. Once again the Braves rallied after trailing going into the eighth inning for the second straight year (last season the Braves scored three in the eighth) .Just as in 2005 Kevin Barry was the winning pitcher and James Jurries hit a home run. Jurries joined Tony Pena, Brayan Pena, and Bill McCarthy in the Opening Day R-Braves lineup for the second straight year. The Braves have won five of their last six season openers and three straight at The Diamond.

EVEN IS GOOD: The Braves enjoyed a division title in 2004 and finished second in 2002. Counting yesterday's win the Braves are 155-129 (.546) in games played in even numbered years since Opening Day of 2002.

THE ROSTER: The Braves have 23 active players (11 pitchers, two catchers, six infielders, and four outfielders). Atlanta has optioned RHP Blaine Boyer to Richmond. He will join the active roster upon his arrival. The Braves made six roster moves yesterday. RHP Ken Ray and RHP Joey Devine were called up by Atlanta. Richmond placed four players on the DL yesterday: C Eddie Perez, 1B Andy Barkett, RHP Buddy Hernandez, and RHP Carlos Almanzar.

WE ARE THE WORLD: Three members of the Braves played in the World Baseball Classic in March (Scott Thorman for Canada and Damian Moss and Peter Moylan for Australia). The tournament featured 11 former R-Braves, four of whom were on the Canadian team. Richmond's Opening Day roster for '06 includes players from the U.S., Dominican Republic, Canada, Australia, Venezuela, Cuba, and Puerto Rico.

RICHMOND VS. BUFFALO 2006 REGULAR SEASON

......................................... April 6 @ The Diamond..................................... Braves 5 Bisons 4 April 18 @ Dunn Tire Park ...................................................... 1:05 PM

....................................................... April 7 @ The Diamond.................................... 7 PM April 19 @ Dunn Tire Park .................................. 1:05 PM

....................................................... April 8 @ The Diamond..................................... 7 PM April 20 @ Dunn Tire Park .................................. 1:05 PM

....................................................... April 9 @ The Diamond..................................... 2 PM April 21 @ Dunn Tire Park .................................. 1:05 PM

Upcoming Pitching Probables:

Saturday, April 8 vs. Buffalo 7 PM RHP Travis Smith vs. RHP Jeremy Guthrie

Sunday, April 9 vs. Buffalo 2 PM RHP Damian Moss vs. LHP Jason Stanford

Monday, April 10 vs. Durham 7 PM LHP Brian O'Connor vs. RHP Jason Hammel

Tuesday, April 11 vs. Durham 7 PM RHP Anthony Lerew vs. RHP Edwin Jackson

All games broadcast on ESPN Radio 950 AM with Robert Fish

Check out the Gwinnett Stripers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



International League Stories from April 7, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central