IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

R-Braves Game Notes

June 29, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


Richmond Braves (45-33) @ Louisville Bats (41-39)

Game # 79 Road Game # 43 ♦ June 29, 2007 ♦ 7:05 PM ♦ Louisville Slugger Field ♦ Louisville, KY

RHP Ryan Baerlocher (1-2 3.26) vs. RHP Richie Gardner (1-0 4.76)

TONIGHT'S GAME: Is the fourth of a four game series and the 10th of 12 meetings, the sixth of six at Louisville Slugger Field. The Braves have taken two of three games in this series. Richmond is 6-3 vs. the Bats, 3-2 at Louisville Slugger Field. The 16th of 49 games vs. the West Division and the 10th of 24 on the road. Richmond is 10-5 vs. the West, 6-3 on the road. The fourth of an eight game road trip (Richmond is 2-1). Richmond is in first place in the South Division by five and a half games over Durham.

LAST NIGHT'S GAME: The Bats beat the Braves 6-3 Thursday at Louisville Slugger Field. The Bats rallied from a two run deficit to end a three game losing streak at home vs. Richmond. The contest was delayed for nearly 90 minutes by rain. The Braves grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first on a two-run home run by Brayan Pena. Louisville scored a run in the first on a bases-loaded walk to Mark Belhorn. The Braves took a 3-1 lead in the fourth when Kevin Barry dropped down a bases-loaded squeeze bunt that scored Doug Clark. But Louisville answered back in the home half with a sacrifice fly by Pedro Lopez to cut the Braves lead to 3-2. The Bats tied the game in the fifth on a sac fly by Aaron Herr. Louisville moved in front in the sixth on an RBI single by Ryan Freel. They opened up a three run lead in the seventh on a two-run homer by Belhorn. Elizardo Ramirez was the winning pitcher. Rickey Stone picked up a save. Ryan Basner took the loss. Pena had three hits for the Braves. Lopez had three hits for the Bats

STREAKERS: Martin Prado has hits in four straight games (8-17 .471). Brayan Pena has a three game hitting streak (6-8 .750). Brent Lillibridge has hits in three straight games (5-12 .417). Gregor Blanco's three game hitting streak ended last night.

FOLLOW BOUNCING BRAYAN: Brayan Pena made his second start of the season at third base last night. He has also started games at LF, 1B, C, and DH since joining Richmond from Atlanta May 18. Pena has played eight games in left field, six games at first, two games at third, and eight at catcher with Richmond this season. Prior to 2007, he played just two games in his pro career anywhere but catcher (one game at first for Richmond in 2005 and one game at third for Atlanta last season). Pena joins Willie Harris (2B, 3B, LF, CF) as the only Braves to start games at four different defensive positions in 2007.

ON THE LEADER BOARD: The Braves lead the IL in ERA (3.33), most shutouts (10), and fewest home runs allowed (46). Richmond is tied for third in stolen bases (78). Richmond is third in fewest strikeouts (457). Gregor Blanco is tied for second in runs scored (53).

ADVANCE AT YOUR OWN RISK: The Braves collected their 22nd outfield assist of the season yesterday. Richmond had 21 all of last season. The Braves have three of the 21 outfielders in the IL with four or more assists this season (T.J. Bohn with six, Gregor Blanco with six, and Doug Clark with four). Richmond has outfield assists in three straight games. The Braves lead the league in percentage of opponents caught stealing (48-104 .461). Corky Miller leads the league's catchers in caught stealing percentage (30-61 .492). Iker Franco has thrown out 16 of 32 but has not played in enough games to qualify for the league lead.

SERIES STUFF: The Braves have won four series, split two, and lost only one on the road this season. The Braves are going after a series win and a winning record for the season at Louisville Slugger Field tonight. Of the 10 other IL parks they have played in this season, Richmond is .500 or better in nine. The only club against whom they have a losing road record is Charlotte (1-3).

CLOSING IN: Carlos Mendez next hit will be number 1,600 in his minor league career. Dave Brundage is two wins away from 700 for his career. Wes Timmons needs two RBI for 200 in his career. Buddy Hernandez is three strikeouts short of 400 for his career. Doug Clark is seven hits short of 1,200 for his career.

2007 R-Braves Vs. Bats

April

16 ♦ @ RIC W 4-1

17 ♦ @ RIC W 3-1

18 ♦ @ RIC L 3-1

19 ♦ @ RIC W 3-2*

24 ♦ @ LOU L 6-5*

25 ♦ @ LOU W 5-1

June

26 ♦ @ LOU W 6-0

27 ♦ @ LOU W 6-4*

28 ♦ @ LOU L 6-3

29 ♦ 7:05 PM @ LOU

August

4 ♦ 7:00 PM @ RIC

5 ♦ 2:00 PM @ RIC

* extra innings

Upcoming Milestones

PLAYER MILESTONE NEEDS FOR

Dave Brundage Career wins 2 700

Gregor Blanco Career runs 25 500

Career steals 9 200

Kevin Barry Career K's 46 500

T.J. Bohn Career RBI 22 300

Doug Clark Career hits 7 1200

Career HR's 15 100

Career SB's 28 200

Iker Franco Career hits 51 500

Buddy Hernandez Career K's 3 400

Trey Hodges Career K's 30 400

Jonathan Johnson Career K's 39 700

Carlos Mendez Career hits 1 1600

Corky Miller Career HR's 8 100

Career RBI 32 400

Career hits 29 600

Jonathan Schuerholz Career hits 66 500

Will Startup Career games 3 100

Wes Timmons Career RBI 2 200

UPCOMING PITCHING PROBABLES

Saturday, June 30 @ Indianapolis 7 PM RHP Lance Cormier vs. RHP Bryan Bullington

Sunday, July 1 @ Indianapolis 2 PM RHP Blaine Boyer vs. LHP Shane Youman

Monday, July 2 @ Columbus 7:05 PM LHP Jo-Jo Reyes vs. LHP John Lannan Tuesday, July 3 @ Columbus 7:05 PM RHP Kevin Barry vs. TBA

Check out the Gwinnett Stripers Statistics



International League Stories from June 29, 2007


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