IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

Zach Duke, Syracuse Hand G-Braves 5-2 Loss

June 24, 2012 - International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


Syracuse, NY. - The Syracuse Chiefs received eight strong innings from starting pitcher Zack Duke and handed the Gwinnett Braves their ninth straight loss with a 5-2 win Sunday night at Alliance Bank Stadium.

The G-Braves dropped to third place in the International League South standings, one game behind Norfolk, as the Tides won their fifth in a row with a 9-2 win at Toledo on Sunday.

After rain delayed the start of the game for almost two hours, the G-Braves took the early lead as lead-off man Luis Durango laid down a bunt single, stole second base and moved to third on a throwing error by Syracuse catcher Jeff Howell. Durango scored from third on a ground out to short by Josh Wilson, giving Gwinnett a 1-0 lead.

The Gwinnett lead lasted only half an inning, as the Chiefs took the lead for good in the bottom of the first. Corey Brown led off with a double and moved to third on a single by Erik Komatsu. Brett Carroll lifted a sacrifice fly to right that scored Brown to tie the game, 1-1. After recording the second out, Braves starter Jose Lugo yielded a walk to Mark Teahen and a single to Carlos Rivero to load the bases. Lugo then walked Jarrett Hoffpauir to push across Komatsu, giving Syracuse the, 2-1, lead. Lugo walked Howell which scored Teahen to give the Chiefs a 3-1 lead.

The G-Braves cut into the lead in the top of the third, as Durango singled and scored again from first on a double deep to left by Wilson to make it 3-2 Syracuse. That would be the last run the G-Braves would score on the night.

Lugo (L, 1-3) worked four innings and surrendered 10 hits, four earned runs and he walked four, while he struck out five. Buddy Carlyle worked two innings, striking out four and his lone blemish was a Komatsu solo blast. Cory Gearrin worked two scoreless innings and yielded one walk alongside two strikeouts.

Duke (W, 9-3) pitched eight solid innings and allowed seven hits, two earned runs while he walked two and struck out two. Henry Rodriguez (S, 2) worked a scoreless ninth for the save, as he walked two and struck out one.

Durango and Wilson led the Braves offensively, as both went 2-for-4. Wilson drove in both G-Braves' runs.

Komatsu was the hitting star for Syracuse, going 4-for-5 with a homer, RBI and three runs, while Brown and Marrero each had two hits.

The Gwinnett Braves and Syracuse Chiefs end their four-game series Monday night . The Braves will have right-hander Eric Junge (4-7, 4.71) on the mound against the Chiefs right-hander Mitch Atkins (5-5, 4.31). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Alliance Bank Stadium as Gwinnett looks to avoid their season-high 10th straight loss. Listen to the broadcast on WDUN AM 550 in Gainesville, Georgia with Tony Schiavone calling the play by play.

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 June 24, 2012


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