IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

R-Braves Rally For 9-8 Win

August 23, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


Durham, N.C . - The Richmond Braves scored a 9-8, come-from-behind victory over the Durham Bulls on Thursday night. The Braves improved to 72-58 while the Bulls dropped to 73-58 on the season. Richmond is now a half game behind Durham in the International League's South Division.

The Bulls tied the game at six in the seventh inning and then took an 8-6 lead in the eighth inning. But the Braves, who allowed Durham to score six runs from the sixth to eighth innings, never quit. With one out in the top of the ninth, Brent Lillibridge blasted a solo-homer over the left field fence to make it a one-run game. Then with two outs, Brayan Pena kept the rally going with a single to left. Mike Rozema entered the game as a pinch runner, replacing Pena on first and giving the Braves a little more speed on the bases. But the speed wasn't needed. The next batter, Doug Clark, who entered the game as the R-Braves home run leader, smashed a two-out, two-run homer that gave the Braves a 9-8 advantage.

Richmond reliever Zach Schreiber allowed two earned runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. It was one more run than he had allowed in his previous nineteen and one-third innings, spanning his last 14 relief appearances. Thanks to Lillibridge and Clark, Schreiber earned his first win at Richmond, despite allowing Durham to score the go-ahead runs in the eighth. Schreiber is now 1-0 with a 2.28 ERA.

Joey Devine picked up his second save of the season. He came on for the final three outs after the Braves' bats rallied in the top of the ninth. Devine, who struck out the side, is now 3-0 with a 2.04 ERA in 13 games at Richmond.

Richmond starter Francisley Bueno allowed just three earned runs and struck out eight in five and one-third innings in his Triple-A debut. Bueno was promoted to Richmond prior to Wednesday's contest. The Braves also used relievers Royce Ring and Chad Paronto in the game. Ring allowed two runs and recorded just one out in the game while Paronto allowed one run in the one and one-third inning that he was on the mound.

Richmond was led offensively by Gregor Blanco and Brandon Jones, who were each 3-for-5 in the win. The Braves also got a pair of hits from Brent Lillibridge, Brayan Pena, Doug Clark and Wes Timmons. Lillibridge, Clark and Timmons all went deep in the win.

Durham reliever Chad Orvella, who allowed all three runs in the ninth inning, was charged with a blown save and his third loss of the season. Orvella is now 3-3 with a 3.12 ERA. Richmond plated six runs against Bulls' starter Jae Seo. Seo, who allowed a dozen Braves hits, lasted six innings. Steven Andrade and Jeff Ridgeway also saw action out the Durham 'pen.

The Braves and Bulls will wrap-up their four-game series on Friday. Richmond will send RHP Blaine Boyer (3-2, 4.67 ERA) to the mound while Durham is expected to start RHP Mitch Talbot (11-8, 4.77 ERA). First pitch in the series finale is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

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