IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

Tides Steal Win from G-Braves, 6-3

Published on August 20, 2012 under International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - The Norfolk Tides scored three times in the ninth to tie the game and three more times in the 11th to steal a 6-3 win from the Gwinnett Braves on Monday night at Coolray Field. Miguel Batista pitched 6.0 scoreless innings for the G-Braves and left with a 3-0 lead, but the bullpen failed to hold the advantage.

With Gwinnett leading 3-0, they went to their bullpen and Cole McCurry following the brilliant 77-pitch, 50-strike effort from Batista. McCurry worked 2.0 innings before exiting with runners on first and second base with nobody out in the ninth. Andy Russell entered the game and proceeded to allow three runs to cross the plate, two to McCurry's line, as Norfolk tied the game at 3-3.

Ryan Flaherty walked and Joe Mahoney singled off McCurry to start the ninth. Bill Hall welcomed Russell by driving home the first run of the game for Norfolk, singling past first baseman Josh Kroeger to cut the deficit to 3-1. Endy Chavez then singled home Mahoney, and Luis Exposito grounded into a double play that scored the tying run.

McCurry worked 2.0 innings and allowed two runs on two hits. Russell followed him, lasting 2.0 innings with one run on two hits.

Ryan Buchter entered the game to start the 11th inning for the G-Braves. The left-hander walked Jamie Hoffmann to lead off the inning, then misfired to first for a throwing error after a Chavez bunt. Following a spectacular play by Buchter to force Hoffmann at third on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Exposito, a walk to pinch hitter Ryan Adams loaded the bases. Steve Tolleson drove home the go ahead run with a sacrifice fly to center, and L.J. Hoes put the game on ice with a two-run single off shortstop-turned-reliever Josh Wilson to give Norfolk a 6-3 lead.

Buchter (L, 0-2) was credited for 0.2 innings, as he surrendered three unearned runs on no hits and three walks. Wilson worked 0.1 innings and surrendered just the one hit to Hoes.

Greg Burke (W, 2-1) worked 2.2 scoreless innings en route to the victory for Norfolk. The right-hander struck out two without yielding a walk through extra innings. Zach Phillips (S, 6) closed the door on the G-Braves for the save, recording the final out of the game. The Tides bullpen allowed just one run over 5.0 innings of relief on the night.

Batista was outstanding for the G-Braves on Monday, working 6.0 innings of scoreless baseball. The veteran right-hander surrendered just three total hits and struck out a season-high seven hitters, leaving the game in line for the victory.

Rusty Ryal was the lone offense to start the ballgame, doubling home Ruben Gotay in the second and fourth innings respectively, giving Gwinnett a 2-0 lead after four innings. Gotay walked with one out in the second, then scored from first on the double by Ryal. In the fourth, Gotay scored from first once again, this time after his single off Norfolk starter Zach Clark.

Clark, the Tides starter lasted 5.0 innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits. Clark struck out four, but yielded five walks as he left the game in line for the loss. Oscar Villarreal relieved the starter the rest of the game, allowing just one run in the seventh, finishing his night with 3.0 innings pitched. The right-hander yielded one hit, one walk and struck out one.

Jose Constanza walked to lead off the G-Braves' seventh inning against Villarreal, extending his on-base streak to an International League leading 37 straight games.

Chavez was the only Norfolk hitter to record a multiple-hit game, going 2-for-4. However, Xavier Avery did reach base three times, going 0-for-3 with three walks on Monday.

Ryal led the way for Gwinnett, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs, meanwhile, Pie also registered a 2-for-4 evening.

The Gwinnett Braves (59-72) conclude the two-game series against the Norfolk Tides (67-64) on Tuesday morning at Coolray Field. First pitch is scheduled for 10:35 AM. Left-hander Yohan Flande (6-8, 4.00) is scheduled to start for the G-Braves against left-hander Dana Eveland (4-4, 2.81) of the Tides. The radio broadcast will air live on 1240 ESPN Radio, while the television broadcast will air on CSS at 1:00 PM.

Celebrate back to school on Tuesday morning with the Gwinnett Braves, as students are welcomed to join the fun at Coolray Field on Belk Education Day. The day also features a special "Goosebumps Book Giveaway" to the first 1,000 fans age 14 and under, courtesy of Scholastic Books.

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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International League Stories from August 20, 2012


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