IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

R-Braves Pick Up Series Split, 3-1

Published on June 17, 2007 under International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Braves defeated the Pawtucket Red Sox 3-1 on Sunday. With the win, the Braves picked up the four-game, series split at Pawtucket. Richmond improved to 39-28, while the Red Sox dropped to 31-34 on the season. It was the final game between the two clubs in the 2007 regular season.

It took the Braves seven innings to score the first run of the game. After Brayan Pena singled to lead-off the inning, three Braves recorded free passes. Red Sox starter Abe Alvarez walked the first two batters, Larry Bigbie and Iker Franco, to load the bases. Then Pawtucket reliever Edgar Martinez walked Wes Timmons, the first batter he faced, which scored Pena and gave the Braves a 1-0 lead. All three base on balls were taken with two outs.

The Braves added a pair of insurance runs in the eighth inning. Martin Prado reached base when he poked a line-drive double to center field. A batter later, with two outs, Carlos Mendez singled to left to bring home Prado. The next batter Doug Clark recorded his own double to center which chased home Mendez to give the Braves a 3-0 lead.

The Red Sox avoided the shutout, when they scored a run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Pawtucket shortstop Alex Prieto erased the goose egg from the home team's scoreboard with his lead-off, solo home run to left. But Braves' reliever Will Startup who started in the eighth inning, retired the next three batters in order to hold off any late rallies.

Richmond starter Kevin Barry allowed just four hits and no runs in seven innings of action. Barry, who recorded six strikeouts in the matinee, earned the victory and evened his record to 3-3 with a 3.42 ERA. Startup, who allowed the solo home run in the eighth, held the Red Sox in check until the ninth inning. Manny Acosta allowed two base runners in the ninth but was able to close things out. He picked up his ninth save in as many chances and now has a 0.90 ERA on the season.

All nine Richmond starters reached base safely on Sunday. Seven different Braves' batters recorded a base hit while Brayan Pena picked up a pair of hits in the victory. Carlos Mendez, Doug Clark and Wes Timmons all recorded RBI for Richmond to lead the Braves late surge of offense.

The Braves continue on their current eight-game road trip with a four-game series at Syracuse. The Braves are scheduled to send Ryan Baerlocher (0-1, 3.86 ERA) to the mound to take on Syracuse RHP Michael MacDonald (2-3, 4.44 ERA). Also as a reminder Braves' fans, there is a limited number of tickets available for the Richmond Braves' July 4th and 5th Fireworks Extravaganza at The Diamond. For more information or to reserve your seat, please call the R-Braves' ticket office at 804-359-4444 or visit the club's website, www.rbraves.com .

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International League Stories from June 17, 2007


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