Ramirez Leads Braves Past Tribe 12-3
Published on August 1, 2011 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- Gwinnett left fielder Wilkin Ramirez collected five hits, scored three runs, drove in three and stole three bases, while center fielder Matt Young also scored three runs in addition to four RBI, as the Braves totaled 16 hits, including 14 singles, in their 12-3 victory over the Indianapolis Indians on Monday night at Coolray Field.
With the loss, Indianapolis drops to a 57-54 record this season, while the win pushes Gwinnett's record to 61-48 on the year. The victory also gives the Braves a 2-1 series lead, as well as a 4-3 advantage in the season series.
Ramirez (5-for-5, 3 R, 3 RBI, 3 SB) led the Gwinnett offense with his five base knocks, while Young (2-for-3, 3 R, 1 2B, 4 RBI, 2 BB), SS Tyler Pastornicky (2-for-5, 1 R, 1 RBI), RF Stefan Gartrell (2-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 BB) and 3B Brandon Hicks (2-for-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI) all recorded multi-hit games. In their past two games, the Braves have scored a total of 23 runs and accumulated 36 base hits, all but four of which were singles.
For the third straight contest, Indianapolis opened the scoring in the first frame. SS Jordy Mercer led off with single and then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, before scoring on C Ryan Doumit's double to left to give the Indians a 1-0 advantage.
Gwinnett however, answered in the second with a score to tie the game at 1-1. Hicks began with a double and moved to third on a groundout before coming across on Ramirez's run-scoring infield base knock.
The Braves then grabbed a 2-1 lead in the subsequent frame. Young drew a lead-off walk and then stole second, before Hicks brought Young home with an RBI base hit to left.
The margin would double in the fourth frame thanks to starting pitcher Mike Minor helping his own cause. Ramirez started the inning with a single and then swiped second, before Minor singled to right to send in Ramirez.
The Tribe followed by narrowing their deficit to one in the fifth. Mercer and 2B Josh Harrison drew back-to-back free passes, prior to LF John Bowker delivering a base knock up the middle to bring home Mercer and make it 3-2.
Gwinnett then plated three more runs in the sixth. Ramirez started the scoring spurt with a single and moved to second on a groundout, before he was plated on Young's infield single. Young then went from first to third on Pastornicky's base knock, while Gartrell drove both home with a hit to right to push the Braves to a 6-2 advantage.
The Braves would put the game away in the seventh frame with four additional tallies. Ramirez recorded his fourth hit, a single to center, to start the rally, before C Will Nieves singled and relief pitcher Cory Gearrin walked to load the bases for Young. The center fielder then cleared the bases with a three-run double to center, while Young came home on Pastornicky's base knock to give Gwinnett a 10-2 lead.
Ramirez added his fifth and final hit of the contest in the eighth. 1B Mauro Gomez and Hicks both drew walks and advanced to second and third on a wild pitch, before Ramirez brought them both home with a single to right to cap the scoring.
Overshadowed by the Gwinnett offense was a solid outing from starter Mike Minor (6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 SO), who earned the victory after allowing two earned runs on five hits, while striking out eight in six frames. Reliever Cory Gearrin (2.0 IP, 2 SO) fired two perfect innings of relief in support of Minor,
Indians LHP Justin Wilson (3.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 9-7 after giving up three earned runs on six hits in 3.2 innings pitched. RHP Jared Hughes (1.1 IP, 2 SO) followed Wilson with 1.1 perfect frames of his own, while fanning two batters.
Indianapolis and Gwinnett will meet for the final time this season on Tuesday night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. LHP Garrett Olson is slated to take the mound for the Tribe, while the Braves are expected to counter with RHP Todd Redmond.
The contest will be carried on WNDE 1260 AM, WNDE.com and via iheartradio, a mobile application for iPhone, Blackberry and Android phones, with Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley on the call. The pre-game show begins at 6:45 p.m.
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Post-game quotes -- SS Jordy Mercer
(on reaching base three times) I felt good today at the plate and today I was able to put what I've been working on into play. I've struggled before, but not like this and hopefully I will build on this game.
(on the past two games) "The last two games have been tough and you'll have stretches like this. We need to bounce back and try and split the series.
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