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IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

Ruiz Walk-Off Blast Gives Stripers Fifth Straight Win

July 18, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - Rio Ruiz lifted a towering two-run walk-off home run to right field in the ninth inning to give the Gwinnett Stripers a 4-2 win over the Indianapolis Indians Wednesday night at Coolray Field. It was Gwinnett's fifth consecutive win.

With the game tied, 2-2, Ruiz came to the plate after Michael Reed started the inning with a double off the left field wall against Jesus Liranzo (L, 0-1). On an 0-1 pitch, Ruiz lifted a 370-foot moonshot (6) into the night for the victory. It was Ruiz's second career walk-off homer with Gwinnett, the last coming April 29, 2017 in Pawtucket with Gwinnett playing as the home side in game two of a doubleheader.

It was Gwinnett's third walk-off win of the season and its first such by a home run.

The Stripers took a lead in the first inning against Brandon Waddell. Reed led off with a single and stole second base. Two batters later, Dustin Peterson drove him home for a 1-0 advantage.

The lead grew to 2-0 in the fourth after Sean Kazmar Jr. doubled and was driven in on a single by the scorching-hot Luis Marte.

Max Fried, making his first rehab start from Atlanta, held the Indians hitless and scoreless over 4.2 innings. Working on a pitch limit, he struck out six and walked three on 76 pitches.

Upon Fried's departure, Elian Leyva immediately allowed the Indians to tie the game. Leyva gave up a single to Waddell and walked Kevin Newman, setting Adam Frazier up for the game-tying two-run double.

Leyva went 1.1 innings allowing two hits, two earned runs and a walk.

Jason Hursh pitched 2.0 scoreless innings and Jacob Webb (W, 2-2) tossed a perfect ninth, fanning two and giving the Stripers a chance for the eventual walk-off.

Ruiz, who went 1-for-4 with the game-winner, is now batting .284 (19-for-67) with two homers and 17 RBIs through 15 July games. Marte, in finishing 3-for-4 with an RBI, is hitting .542 (13-for-24) with five multi-hit efforts in six games with Gwinnett. It was his third three-hit game in that span.

The Indians tallied only three hits in the contest, led by Frazier's 1-for-4 night with two RBIs.

The Stripers (44-52) and Indians (50-44) conclude their four-game series Thursday at 7:05 p.m. from Coolray Field. Lefty Luiz Gohara (1-3, 5.52 ERA) is scheduled to start for Gwinnett, while Indianapolis will start right-hander J.T. Brubaker (4-3, 4.01 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Dave Lezotte has the play-by-play call on 97.7 and 93.5 FM "The Other Side of the River" beginning at 6:35 p.m.

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International League Stories from July 18, 2018


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