IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

R-Braves Game Notes

Published on June 11, 2007 under International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


Richmond Braves (36-25) vs. Buffalo Bisons (34-28)

Game # 62 Home Game # 32 ♦ June 11, 2007 ♦ 7 PM ♦ The Diamond ♦ Richmond, VA

RHP Kevin Barry (2-3 4.08) vs. RHP Sean Smith (5-3 4.35)

TONIGHT'S GAME: The fifth of a six-game, four day series, the fifth of six meetings, all at The Diamond. Richmond is 3-1 vs. the Bisons. Richmond is 38-51 all-time vs. Buffalo. The 28th of 46 meetings vs. North Division clubs, the 17th of 27 at home. Richmond is 14-13 vs. the North, 6-9 at home. Game nine of a 10 game, eight day homestand. Richmond is 4-4. The Braves are in first place in the South by five and a half games over Durham.

YESTERDAY'S GAMES: The Braves and Bisons split a doubleheader Sunday at The Diamond. The Braves rallied for a 6-3 win in the opener. The Bisons bounced back for a 2-1 win in the nightcap ending a three game Richmond winning streak. In the opener Richmond took a 1-0 lead in the third on an RBI double by Brayan Pena. Ex-Brave Andy Marte crushed a home run in the fifth to tie the game at one. Marte doubled two runs home in the sixth to give the Bisons a 3-1 lead. But Richmond rallied back with a five run seventh. Iker Franco smacked a home run. Pena doubled two home to put the Braves in front. Graham Koonce capped the rally with a towering two run homer. Jo-Jo Reyes earned the win in his Triple-A debut. Manny Acosta notched a save. Edward Mujica took the loss. Pena had two hits for Richmond. Marte had three hits for the Bisons. In the nightcap, the Braves took a 1-0 lead in the second on a home run by Brent Lillibridge. In the sixth the Bisons rallied back. Hector Luna tied the game with an RBI double. Marte chased Luna home with a single to give the Bisons the lead. Eric DuBose earned the win. Mike Koplove collected a save. Buddy Hernandez took the loss. Pena had two more hits for the Braves. Luna had two hits for the Bisons.

ON THE ROSTER FRONT: LHP Jo-Jo Reyes was returned to Mississippi after earning the win in yesterday's first game. RHP Brad Nelson, who was sent to Mississippi after making his Triple-A debut Saturday, has been re-called to Richmond. OF T.J. Bohn, who has appeared in only one game since May 28, has been placed on the Disabled List (retro to 6/7) with a hamstring injury. His roster spot will be filled by OF Larry Bibie who joins the Braves as a free agent. He began the year with Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League and hit .349 in 34 games with the 51s. The Braves roster stands at 24 (11 pitchers, 3 catchers, six infielders, and four outfielders). Bohn joins RHP Phil Stockman and RHP Jonathan Johnson on the DL. The Braves have had 10 players promoted to Atlanta and have made 60 roster moves this season.

PUTTING UP NUMBERS: Brayan Pena has a 10 game hitting streak (18-42 .429), the longest by an R-Brave since Pena hit in 12 straight games last season. Jeff Bennett has tossed 21 straight scoreless innings over eight appearances. Martin Prado's three game hitting streak ended yesterday.

ON THE LEADER BOARD: The Braves lead the International League in pitching with a team ERA of 3.26. The Braves also lead in shutouts (eight) and in fewest home runs allowed (35). Richmond is fourth in stolen bases (62). Gregor Blanco is tied four third in the league in runs scored (43). The Braves are third in percentage of opponents caught stealing (.435) and Corky Miller leads IL catchers in caught stealing percentage (24- 52 .462). T.J. Bohn is third in outfield assists (6).

NUMBER CRUNCHING: The Braves have committed just one error in their last four games. Braves starting pitchers have worked through the fifth inning just once in the last five games. The Braves are 17-2 when Iker Franco starts at catcher. The Braves have the best road record in the IL at 20-11. Two of the four games in this series thus far (both Richmond wins) count as road games due to the postponement of the opening series of the year between theses clubs in Buffalo due to snow and cold. The Braves will play one other "road" game at The Diamond this season (July 25 vs. Ottawa) to make up a game postponed on the road. The Mississippi Braves are closing in on a first half division title in the Southern League. Their magic number stands at two. Richmond is 7-11 against left handed starting pitchers. The Braves are in a stretch of 25 straight games against North Division clubs. Richmond is playing 53 of 56 games vs. American League affiliates. Braves pitchers next hit June 26 vs. Louisville.

UPCOMING PITCHING PROBABLES

Tuesday, June 12 vs. Buffalo 7 PM RHP Ryan Baerlocher vs. LHP Aaron Laffey

Wednesday, June 13 OFF DAY

Thursday, June 13 @ Pawtucket 7:05 LHP Dan Smith vs. RHP David Pauley

Friday, June 14 @ Pawtucket 7:05 PM RHP Trey Hodges vs. LHP Jon Lester

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