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IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

Six-Run Ninth Propels G-Braves Past Lehigh Valley, 9-8

May 28, 2012 - International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


LAWRENCEVILLE, GA. - The Gwinnett Braves entered the ninth trailing Lehigh Valley 9-8, but scored a miraculous six runs in the frame to defeat the IronPigs, 9-8 on Monday night at Coolray Field. Lance Zawadzki sent the Memorial Day crowd of 6,426 home happy as he delivered the crushing blow, a three-run walk-off home run to right field.

Down 8-3 entering the ninth, the G-Braves found a way to chip at the deficit. Ernesto Mejia doubled to drive in Christian Marrero for the first run of the inning, Joey Terdoslavich added an RBI single scoring Stefan Gartrell and Jose Yepez singled through the left side of the diamond to score Mejia, cutting the deficit to two. With Gwinnett trailing 8-6 and down to their last out, the table was set for Zawadzki. The second baseman belted a 0-1 pitch from IronPigs' reliever Michael Schwimer onto the right-field berm for his first home run of the season, capping the six-run comeback and giving the G-Braves their fifth walk-off win of the season.

Zawadzki finished 3-for-5 with five RBIs on the night, the most by a G-Brave in a single game this season. His home run, along with a two-run single in the sixth, helped Gwinnett match their largest come-from-behind victory of the season. The club also rallied from an eight-run deficit to beat Norfolk, 14-12 in 11 innings, on April 11 in Norfolk, VA. Marrero also belted a pinch-hit solo home run off Lehigh Valley starter Dave Bush to help the G-Braves get rolling in the sixth.

The IronPigs had built an 8-0 lead through five and a half innings prior to the nine unanswered runs scored by the G-Braves. Late lineup addition John Suomi went 4-for-5 with a home run and three RBI, helping make life difficult for right-hander Julio Teheran. The Gwinnett starter exited after 3.0 innings with six runs allowed, four earned, on seven hits including Suomi's solo homer in the third.

Buddy Carlyle yielded another run over 2.0 innings and Dusty Hughes gave up the eighth run of the night over 1.0 inning. Adam Russell finally steadied the game with 2.0 scoreless innings, while Jaye Chapman (W, 2-2) ended up with the win despite allowing three hits over a scoreless ninth inning.

Bush allowed three runs, one earned, over 6.0 innings in the no-decision for Lehigh Valley. Schwimer (L, 2-1), the third reliever used by the IronPigs, took the loss with six earned runs over two thirds of an inning.

The International League South-leading G-Braves (31-20) continue their 10-game homestand with the second of four games against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (28-23) on Tuesday night at Coolray Field, first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM. Left-hander Yohan Flande (1-3, 3.97) is slated to start for Gwinnett against Lehigh Valley left-hander Pat Misch (3-6, 5.44). The game will be broadcast on radio on WDUN 550 AM and 102.9 FM with Tony Schiavone calling the play-by-play.

Tuesday is "2 For 1 Tuesday" at Coolray Field, where fans can receive a special 2-for-1 ticket coupon by visiting GwinnettBraves.com/Tuesday. Print your coupon from home and present it at the Coolray Field Box Office prior to the game to redeem the offer. Some seating level restrictions apply, limit six tickets per group.

Tickets for all Gwinnett Braves home games are on sale now at the Coolray Field Box Office. Call (678) 277-0340 or visit GwinnettBraves.com for more information.

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