Results tagged ‘ Yohan Flande ’
Education Day Game at Coolray Field This Morning
Photo courtesy of Karl Moore
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 Russellentered 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.
Photo courtesy of Karl Moore
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 21st G-Braves Starting Line-up from Coolray Field:
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.
Norfolk Tides (2nd IL South) vs Gwinnett (4th IL North)
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.
Durham Bulls Batting Order:
1) L.J. Hoes, LF
2) Ryan Adams, 2B
3) Ryan Flaherty, LF
4) Bill Hall, DH
5) Joe Mahoney, 1B
6) Ronny Paulino, C
7) Brandon Waring, 3B
8) Steve Tolleson, SS
9) Jamie Hoffman, RF
G-Braves Batting Order:
1) Jose Constanza, LF
2) Luis Durango, CF
3) Ernesto Mejia, 1B
4) Stefan Gartrell, RF
5) Jose Yepez, C
6) Josh Kroeger, DH
7) Rusty Ryal, LF
8) Josh Wilson, SS
9) Brian Friday, 2B
Tommy Hanson vs Todd Redmond at Coolray Field
Photo courtesy of Leslie Watts
The Atlanta Braves right-hander Tommy Hanson will have his first minor league rehab start on Sunday at Coolray Field for Triple-A Gwinnett. The Braves righty landed on the 15-day DL for Atlanta with lower back soreness. It is undetermined how many starts Hanson will need prior to heading back to the Braves rotation, regardless the Triple-A offense’s due to face him certainly have their work cut out.
The former G-Brave leads the Atlanta team in wins with his 12-5 record, alongside a 4.29 ERA in 22 starts this season. Hanson has also registered 114 strikeouts to 54 walks in 126.0 innings of work in the National League East Division. Opponents are batting .267 off the right-hander alongside his 1.44 WHIP.
G-Braves fans had the luxury of witnessing Tommy Hanson start for Gwinnett 11 times during the 2009 season. That year, Hanson went 3-3 with a 1.49 ERA, including 90 strikeouts and just 17 walks yielded in 66.1 innings pitched for the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves.
Photo courtesy of 2009 Gwinnett Braves staff photographers
Sunday’s game against the Louisville Bats becomes even more interesting for Hanson as he is set to face former Gwinnett star Todd Redmond, who will be making his first start against his former teammates. On the season, the Bats possess one of the worst records in the International League, but they have shown some fight in the second half of the season. Either way, both sides will be primed and ready for Sunday’s showdown.
Redmond spent four years in Triple-A Gwinnett with the Atlanta Braves affiliate. The right-hander was one of the more consistent pitchers in Gwinnett franchise history. During the 2012 campaign, Redmond led the pitching staff in a number of categories, including wins, strikeouts and innings pitched. It should be a great match-up between a pair of workhorse’s on Sunday afternoon.
The Gwinnett Braves (53-68) take on the Louisville Bats (48-73) in game three of the four-game series on Sunday night at Coolray Field, first pitch scheduled for 5:05 PM. Right-hander Tommy Hanson (0-0, 0.00), on a Major League rehab assignment, is scheduled to start for the G-Braves against former Gwinnett right-hander Todd Redmond (8-8, 3.36) of the Bats. Listen to the broadcast on WDUN 550 AM and 102.9 FM in Gainesville, Georgia with Tony Schiavone calling the play-by-play.
By: Tony Piraro
Pie Looks to Keep G-Braves Offense on His Back
Photo courtesy of Karl Moore
Felix Pie went 2-for-3 with three RBIs, leading the Gwinnett Braves to a 6-4 win over the Norfolk Tides on Tuesday night at Coolray Field. The G-Braves scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 5-2 lead and never trailed the rest of the way, moving to within 6.0 games of the Tides for second place in the International League South Division with the victory.
Norfolk jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the second against Gwinnett starter Yohan Flande. The left-hander allowed Luis Exposito to reach on a fielder’s choice, and Brandon Waring doubled to put two runners in scoring position. Jamie Hoffmann’s sacrifice fly scored Exposito, and Blake Davis followed with a single scoring Waring for a 2-0 Tides lead.
Gwinnett cut the deficit to 2-1 in the third inning against Tides’ starter Jake Arrieta as Jose Constanza reached on his second walk of the game and scored on Pie’s double down the left-field line.
The G-Braves got to Arrieta again in the fourth, putting together the game-deciding four-run frame. Stefan Gartrell led off the inning with a double and advanced to third base on a passed ball. He’d score to tie the game as the very next batter, Terry Tiffee, singled to left-center. Josh Kroeger reached on a fielder’s choice and took third on a single by Rusty Ryal, then scored on J.C. Boscan’s sharp single to left field to give Gwinnett a 3-2 lead. Following a Constanza single, Pie came through in the clutch once again with a two-run single to left-center scoring Ryal and Boscan for a 5-2 advantage.
Norfolk responded with a run in the fifth off Flande, but Gwinnett recovered that run in their half of the fifth as Gartrell reached on an error, took third on a double by Tiffee and scored on a groundout by Kroeger.
The Tides threatened to come back from the 6-3 deficit, scoring a run against Dusty Hughes in the seventh on a single by Joe Mahoney. However, Hughes (H, 6), Andy Russell (H, 2) and Anthony Varvaro (S, 4) would combine to allow just that run over the final 4.0 innings in relief of Flande. The left-hander (W, 6-8) was solid yet again for the G-Braves, allowing three runs on seven hits over 5.0 innings. He walked two and struck out three, throwing 91 pitches, 55 for strikes.
Photo courtesy of Kyle Hess
Wednesday, August 8th G-Braves Starting Line-up from Coolray Field:
The Gwinnett Braves (53-65) play game three of the four-game series against the Norfolk Tides (59-59) on Wednesday evening at Coolray Field, first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM. Right-hander Miguel Batista (1-0, 1.80) is slated to start for the G-Braves, while the Tides counter with right-hander Steve Johnson (4-8, 2.86). Listen to the broadcast on WDUN 550 AM and 102.9 FM in Gainesville, Georgia with Tony Schiavone calling the play-by-play.
Norfolk Tides (2nd IL South) vs Gwinnett (4th IL North)
Attend the G-Braves game on Winning Wednesday for a chance to win big. If the G-Braves are victorious, everyone in attendance will receive a special discount on future game tickets, courtesy of Georgia Lottery. Baseball Bingo is back for the second time this year as the first 1,500 fans through the gates will be able to participate to win prizes. Motor over to Coolray Field for Bike Night, featuring a pre-game ride around the field and motorcycle vendors on the concourse. 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.
Photo courtesy of Kyle Hess
Norfolk Tides Batting Order:
1) L.J. Hoes
2) Xavier Avery, CF
3) Ryan Adams, 2B
4) Ronny Paulino, DH
5) Bill Hall, 3B
6) Luis Exposito, C
7) Brandon Waring, 1B
8) Jaime Hoffmann, RF
9) Blake Davis, SS
G-Braves Batting Order:
1) Luis Durango, CF
2) Josh Wilson, SS
4) Felix Pie, RF
3) Ernesto Mejia, DH
5) Stefan Gartrell, LF
6) Terry Tiffee, 3B
7) Josh Kroeger, 1B
8) Brian Friday, 2B
9) J.C. Boscan, C
2 For 1 Tuesday as G-Braves Host Orioles Affiliate
Photo courtesy of Daniel Hamby
The Norfolk Tides scored five runs after the fifth inning to take the opener of a four-game series, 7-4 over the Gwinnett Braves on Monday night at Coolray Field. Randall Delgado allowed three runs over 5.2 innings in the losing effort for Gwinnett, while Norfolk starter Dana Eveland yielded only two unearned runs over 6.0 innings for the victory.
With the loss, Gwinnett’s first in eight meetings with Norfolk this season, the G-Braves find themselves 7.0 games behind the Tides for second place in the International League South Division.
Gwinnett opened the scoring with two runs in the first inning against Eveland. Luis Durango and Jack Wilson led off with back-to-back singles, and both took off on a double steal attempt. Wilson was caught at second but ruled safe as Tides’ second baseman Ryan Adams was charged with a missed catch error. Both runners advanced into scoring position on the play, though neither was credited with a steal. Stefan Gartrell grounded out to score Durango for the first run, and the G-Braves boosted their lead to 2-0 on another double steal attempt. Jose Yepez was caught stealing second base, but stayed in the rundown long enough for Wilson to cross the plate.
Norfolk responded to tie the game in the third inning. Brandon Waring doubled to lead off the inning against Delgado, and Jamie Hoffman connected on a two-run homer to deep left field to even the score at 2-2.
The Tides took the lead in the sixth inning as the first three hitters reached to load the bases. Delgado forced Luis Exposito into a double play, but L.J. Hoes scored as a result, giving Norfolk a 3-2 lead. Billy Bullock relieved Delgado with two outs in the inning and loaded the bases again with a walk, but struck out Blake Davis to end the threat.
Bullock would not be as fortunate the next inning, allowing two runs on three hits. Adams and hoes each reached on one-out singles and an RBI double by Joe Mahoney and sacrifice fly by Ronny Paulino raised the lead to 5-2. Buddy Carlyle came on in relief of Bullock and worked 1.2 scoreless innings, holding the deficit at three. Peter Moylan appeared for the G-Braves in the ninth and gave up two more runs to the Tides. Adams and Hoes again singled to start the inning, and a fielder’s choice by Paulino and single by Exposito drove them each in to make it 7-2.
Photo courtesy of Daniel Hamby
Tuesday, August 7th G-Braves Starting Line-up from Coolray Field:
The Gwinnett Braves (52-65) play game two of the four-game series against the Norfolk Tides (59-58) on Tuesday evening at Coolray Field, first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM. Left-hander Yohan Flande (5-8, 3.96) is slated to start for the G-Braves, while the Tides counter with right-hander Jake Arrieta (3-1, 3.63). Listen to the broadcast on AM 550/FM 102.9 WDUN in Gainesville, Georgia with Tony Schiavone calling the play by play.
Norfolk Tides (2nd IL South) vs Gwinnett (4th IL North)
Save up to 50% off tickets on 2 For 1 Tuesday by visiting GwinnettBraves.com/Tuesday. Print your coupon from home and present it at the Box Office to redeem. 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.
Photo courtesy of Chris Roughgarden
Durham Bulls Batting Order:
1) L.J. Hoes, LF
2) Xavier Avery, CF
3) Bill Hall, 2B
4) Joe Mahoney, 1B
5) Ronny Paulino, C
6) Luis Exposito, DH
7) Brandon Waring, 3B
8) Jamie Hoffmann, RF
9) Blake Davis, SS
G-Braves Batting Order:
1) Jose Constanza, CF
2) Jack Wilson, DH
3) Felix Pie, RF
4) Ernesto Mejia, 1B
5) Stefan Gartrell, DH
6) Terry Tiffee, 3B
7) Josh Kroeger, LF
8) Rusty Ryal, 2B
9) J.C. Boscan, C
Trade Deadline Passes, Delgado Dominant in Win
Photo courtesy of Daniel Hamby
FORT MILL, SC. – After two starts at Gwinnett since being optioned from Atlanta on July 15, there was still reason to be concerned about young Randall Delgado. Those fears were put to rest Tuesday afternoon at Knights Stadium, as the right-hander dominantly pitched the G-Braves to a 7-2 win over the Charlotte Knights in the four-game series finale.
Delgado (W, 2-1) worked six strong innings for his second straight win, as he scattered five hits while giving up one earned run and one walk. Delgado also struck out 10 batters, including seven of the last 11 men he faced on Tuesday. The 10 strikeouts were two behind his career-high of 12 while with Myrtle Beach in the Carolina League of May, 2009.
The Knights jumped on Delgado early as Drew Garcia poked a one-out infield single in the bottom of the first, moved to second on a single to right by Brent Morel and scored on a single by Dan Johnson. The Knights were up 1-0 after one inning, but that would be the only run Delgado would surrender in the game.
Photo courtesy of Daniel Hamby
The G-Braves took the lead in the top of the third off former Parkview High School star Anthony Carter. With one out, Brian Friday singled to left and moved to second on a groundout by J.C. Boscan. With two outs, Felix Pie singled to center scoring Friday from second to tie the game, 1-1. Pie then scored from first on a double to left by Josh Wilsonfor a 2-1 G-Braves lead.
Gwinnett padded the lead in the top of the fifth off reliever Brandon Kloess, when Boscan drew a two out walk, stole second base and scored on a single to center by Wilson, giving the G-Braves a 3-1 advantage.
Andy Russell relieved Delgado in the bottom of the seventh and allowed the Knights only other run. Former No. 1 pick of the Chicago White Sox, Jared Mitchell greeted Russell with a single to left, and then took third when Russell’s pick-off attempt shot past Gwinnett first baseman Terry Tiffee. Tyler Saladino plated Mitchell from third with a groundout to first, cutting the Gwinnett lead, 3-2.
In the top of the ninth however, the G-Braves put the game away. Reliever Donnie Veal walked Josh Kroeger and Ruben Gotay with one out, as he gave way to Daniel Moskos from the bullpen. Moskos walked Friday to load the bases, then allowed Kroeger to score from third on a wild pitch, amping the lead to 4-2. Pie then drove in both Gotay and Friday with a single to center, boosting the lead to 6-2. A wild pitch moved Pie to third and an infield single by Wilson plated him with the seventh and final run of the game.
Carter (L, 2-5) worked two innings of relief for the loss giving up four hits and two earned runs. He stuck out one. Brian Bruney, pitching on a rehab assignment from the White Sox started the game and worked the first inning only with one hit and one strikeout. Kloess pitched 1.2 innings with two hits, one earned run, two walks and one strikeout. Former Gwinnett pitcher Deunte Heath worked 2.0 scoreless innings with one walk and three strikeouts. Veal was credited with 1.2 innings pitched, one hit, two earned runs, two walks and one strikeout. Moskos gave up two hits and one earned run and one walk and had one strikeout in 0.2 innings pitched.
Photo courtesy of Daniel Hamby
The G-Braves (51-61) and Knights (63-49) finish their 22-game schedule against one another with a season split, 11 wins each.
Russell worked the seventh with one hit and one earned run and Dusty Hughes worked a scoreless eighth with one strikeout. Anthony Varvaro closed the game out with a scoreless ninth, allowing one walk, alongside three strikeouts.
Pie and Wilson paced Gwinnett with three hits and three RBIs each and Stefan Gartrellwent 1-for-4 to increase his hitting streak to 11 games.
After an off day on Wednesday, the G-Braves open a four-game series in Durham, North Carolina against the Bulls. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. on Thursday night, asYohan Flande (5-7, 4.17) will start for Gwinnett against the Bulls TBA (0-0, 0.00). Listen to the broadcast on AM 550/FM 102.9 WDUN 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.
By: Tony Sciavone & Tony Piraro
G-Braves Seek Series Split Against Durham Friday
Photo courtesy of Daniel Hamby
The Gwinnett Braves defeated the Durham Bulls 8-1 on Thursday night in the third game of a four-game series at Coolray Field. Luis Durango, Stefan Gartrell and Jack Wilson each recorded three-hit games as the G-Braves’ offense gave starter Randall Delgado all the support he needed. With the win, Gwinnett moves to within 2.0 games of the Bulls for third place in the International League South Division.
For the seventh-straight game on the homestand, the visitors scored the first run. Henry Wrigley broke a string of three-straight scoreless innings thrown by Delgado as he crushed a solo home run in the fourth, giving the Bulls a 1-0 lead.
The lead wouldn’t last long as Terry Tiffee tattooed a solo home run the next half inning to tie the game, 1-1. His towering drive over the left-field retaining wall came against left-hander Cesar Ramos and was his first since joining the G-Braves.
Gwinnett took the lead with a run in the fifth and never trailed the rest of the way. Wilson, continuing his rehab assignment for the Atlanta Braves, singled home J.C. Boscan to put the G-Braves ahead, 2-1.
Facing reliever Bryan Augenstein an inning later, Gwinnett tacked four more runs on to the lead. A single by Gartrell and back-to-back walks to Ruben Gotay and Boscan loaded the bases. Durango then came through with a two-run single up the middle, and Wilson kept the momentum going with a two-run double down the left-field line to increase the advantage to 6-1.
Gartrell capped his 3-for-4 night, his fourth-straight multi-hit game, with a double in the seventh. That hit moved Ernesto Mejia, who reached after being hit by a pitch, to third. Wilson grounded out to plate Mejia for his third RBI of the game, and Tiffee added a single to center scoring Gartrell for an 8-1 lead.
Delgado (W, 1-1) worked 5.2 innings of one-run baseball, scattering six hits and three walks while striking out five. He threw an efficient 110 pitches, 60 for strikes before exiting with two on in the sixth. Cole McCurry (H, 1) stranded both inherited runners and worked 1.1 scoreless innings. Anthony Varvaro and Andy Russell each threw scoreless innings to finish off the Bulls.
Photo courtesy of Karl Moore
Friday, July 27th G-Braves Starting Line-up from Coolray Field:
The Gwinnett Braves (48-59) and Durham Bulls (50-57) will play the finale of the four-game series at Coolray Field on Friday night. The G-Braves will have left-hander Yohan Flande (4-7, 4.44) on the mound, while the Bulls counter with right-hander Jim Paduch (5-8, 5.27) for a 7:05 PM scheduled first pitch. Listen to the broadcast on WDUN 550 AM and 102.9 FM in Gainesville, GA with Tony Schiavone calling the play-by-play. The television broadcast will air on CSS.
Durham Bulls (3rd IL South) vs Gwinnett (4th IL North)
Join the G-Braves in celebrating the 2012 Summer Olympics with Olympic Games Night on Friday night. The first 1,500 fans will walk away with a Cowbell presented by CSS. Post-game fireworks sponsored by WAGA Fox 5 Atlanta will follow the game. 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.
Photo courtesy of Karl Moore
Durham Bulls Batting Order:
1) Rich Thompson, CF
2) Tim Beckham, SS
3) Evan Longoria, DH
4) Henry Wrigley, 1B
5) Chris Gimenez, LF
6) Reid Brignac, SS
7) Cole Figueroa, 3B
8) Nevin Ashley, C
9) Jesus Feliciano, CF
G-Braves Batting Order:
1) Luis Durango, CF
2) Jack Wilson, DH
3) Felix Pie, RF
4) Ernesto Mejia, 1B
5) Stefan Gartrell, LF
6) Terry Tiffee, 3B
7) Josh Wilson, SS
8) Jose Yepez, C
9) Ruben Gotay, 2B
Braves 2011 First Round Pick Joins Gwinnett
Left-hander Sean Gilmartin, Atlanta’s first round pick in the 2011 June free agent draft, has joined the Gwinnett Braves. The Atlanta Braves announced Gilmartin’s promotion from Double-A Mississippi to Gwinnett on Friday, July 27.
Gilmartin, 22, will make his Triple-A debut with the G-Braves after opening the season with Mississippi. In 20 games, all starts for the M-Braves, he compiled a 5-8 record and 3.54 ERA (47 ER in 119.1 IP). The southpaw struck out 86 batters while walking only 26 and held Southern League opponents to a .248 average (111-for-448).
His solid Double-A debut included back-to-back complete games on May 3 at Mobile (loss, 6.0 IP, 2 ER) and May 8 against Pensacola (win, 7.0 IP, 1 ER). Gilmartin threw a career-high 9.0 innings in a no-decision on July 6 vs. Jackson, striking out seven while allowing only a run on four hits. For that effort, he was named the Southern League Pitcher of the Week on July 8.
Photo courtesy of Melinda Pease
Gilmartin was drafted 28th overall in 2011 by the Braves out of Florida State University. He went a combined 2-2 with a 3.09 ERA in six starts between the Gulf Coast League and Class-A Rome in 2011. The Thousand Oaks, CA native began the year as the No. 5 ranked prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization according to Baseball America.
Gilmartin, wearing No. 56, will join the rest of his Gwinnett teammates on Friday night as they take on Durham in the finale of a four-game series. Left-hander Yohan Flande (4-7, 4.44) is scheduled to start for the G-Bravss, while the Bulls counter with right-hander Jim Paduch (5-8, 5.27) for a 7:05 PM scheduled first pitch. Listen to the broadcast on WDUN 550 AM and 102.9 FM in Gainesville, GA with Tony Schiavone calling the play-by-play. The television broadcast will air on CSS.
Join the G-Braves in celebrating the 2012 Summer Olympics with Olympic Games Night on Friday night. The first 1,500 fans will walk away with a Cowbell presented by CSS. Post-game fireworks sponsored by WAGA Fox 5 Atlanta will follow the game. 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.
By: Tony Piraro & Dave Lezotte
Storylines Since the Break
A new post on your Gwinnett Braves has been long overdue since the start of the final 52-game stretch of the regular season. The G-Braves are off to a 1-4 start since the Triple-A All-Star break and maintain a 1.0-game lead on Durham for third place in the International League South Division. Dave Brundage’s club stands 10 games behind South-leading Charlotte with time still on the clock to catch the Knights, but it’s clear that the time is now to make a move up the standings.
Here’s some of the storylines playing out since the break:
Constanza has hit in a franchise-record 19-straight games as of July 17. (Chris Roughgarden)
Jose Constanza is on a tear that may not end any time soon.
Constanza entered the All-Star break with a 14-game hitting streak in tact, tying the existing Gwinnett franchise record shared by Barbaro Canizares (2010) and Felix Pie (2012). He’s re-written the record book with hits in five-straight games since, giving him a 19-game hitting streak as of July 17. That streak is the second-longest in the International League this season, trailing only a 20-game streak accomplished by three players including former Toledo Mud Hen Brad Eldred. Constanza isn’t just collecting a hit a night to advance history, he’s often doing it with huge, multi-hit efforts. He’s logged more than one hit in 12 of the 19 games, hitting an impressive .400 (34-for-85) on the streak. Not surprisingly, he’s shot to the top of the IL in batting average, now leading the circuit with a .322 mark.
Mejia leads the IL with 106 hits and ranks fourth with a .308 batting average. He’s among offensive leaders in just about every other category. (Karl Moore)
Ernesto Mejia has been even better since appearing in the All-Star Game.
What’s left to prove for Mejia after his first Triple-A All-Star Game selection? Plenty. He’s continued to do it with his bat, hitting .354 with four homers and nine RBI over the first 12 games of July. The slugging first baseman is riding a three-game multi-hit streak that has raised his average to .308, fourth-best in the International League. He leads the league with 106 hits (amazing for a player with such power to lead in total hits), while ranking second in total bases (189), tied for second in extra-base hits (44), tied for third in RBI (62), fourth in slugging percentage (.549), fifth in OPS (.916) and tied for fifth in home runs (19). If he can keep up the pace, the IL Triple Crown could be within his grasp in his first year at the level.
Redmond went 6-6 with a 3.58 ERA in 18 starts for the G-Braves before the trade. (Kyle Hess)
It’s going to be weird not seeing Todd Redmond pitch every fifth day.
One constant over the first four years of G-Braves baseball has been the consistency of Redmond in the rotation. The all-time wins leader in Gwinnett history was shipped to Cincinnati in exchange for shortstop Paul Janish on July 14. Redmond went 34-30 with a 3.78 ERA in 101 games, 97 starts in a G-Braves uniform, making him one of the faces of the young franchise. He’ll certainly be most remembered for his nine-inning no-hitter at Louisville on May 28, 2010, still the only no-no thrown by a G-Brave. Die-hard fans will certainly remember his outstanding 2011 season in which Redmond went 10-8 with the IL’s third-best ERA of 2.92. One thing is for sure, it’s going to be weird not seeing “Red” on the mound at Coolray Field. Even stranger, he may face his old club when his new team, the Louisville Bats, come to town in August.
Since throwing his first career complete game on June 3, Teheran is 1-3 with an 8.56 ERA in his last six starts. (Kyle Hess)
With Redmond gone, who steps up?
It’s no secret that even when Redmond was still a member of the rotation, Gwinnett starters had been struggling. The question is, who is able to shake off those struggles and consistently win for this team? We’ve seen flashes of dominance from Julio Teheran, Eric Junge, Yohan Flande and Jose Lugo this year, but who takes the reigns as the staff ace? Teheran would be the likely candidate given what he did just a season ago. There’s still time for the 21-year-old to improve upon a 6-5 record and uncharacteristic 4.96 ERA. Randall Delgado served up six runs in his first Triple-A start since being optioned to Gwinnett by Atlanta, but could also ressurect his season with a strong finish in Triple-A.
McCurry has thrown 5.0 scoreless innings across two appearances with Gwinnett this season. (Leslie Watts)
There’s a whole lot of new faces here.
Terry Tiffee, Cole McCurry, Andy Russell…who are these guys? The G-Braves’ roster underwent nine transactions this past weekend, giving the roster a bit of a new look. Not only the addition of Tiffee, a third baseman who has logged Major League time in Minnesota and Los Angeles (Dodgers), McCurry, a reliever who came over from the Baltimore system earlier this year and Russell (not to be confused with Adam), a 28-year-old reliever in just his second U.S. season after pitching in his native Australia, but also the “re-addition” of Jordan Parraz. Parraz had been out since May 7 with a broken left hand, but went 2-for-5 with a pair of doubles in his first game back with Gwinnett on July 14 at Louisville. Which of the new faces becomes a key piece of the puzzle?
Carlyle ranks second among IL relief leaders in fewest walks per 9.0 innings with a 1.76 mark. (Melinda Pease)
With a slim lead late in the game, who gets the call?
Triple-A All-Star Cory Gearrin is currently on the DL, so who gets the coveted closer’s role? Jaye Chapman posted two saves and a win in three scoreless outings from July 4-12, but suffered a tough letdown in a blown save and loss on July 14 at Louisville. Buddy Carlyle is the active bullpen leader in ERA (2.34) and wins (5), but gave up the grand slam to Bats’ catcher Dioner Navarro that defeated the G-Braves on that same July 14 evening. Don’t count out the rest of the pen, Billy Bullock, Adam Russell, Dusty Hughes and others to get on track, but the late innings will still likely belong to Chapman and Carlyle.
That’s just a small sampling of what’s going on with the Gwinnett Braves just past the half-way point of July. To find out how it all plays out, keep coming back to the G-Blog and gwinnettbraves.com, as well as catching the radio broadcasts with Tony Schiavone on WDUN 550 AM / 102.9 FM and WDUN.com.
-DL
Gwinnett Trying to End First Half on High Note
Photo courtesy of Kyle Hess
The Gwinnett Braves scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth to defeat the Durham Bulls, 6-5 on Saturday night at Coolray Field. Jose Yepez belted a one-out two-run homer, his second of the season, to erase a 5-4 deficit and provide the winning margin for the G-Braves. Jaye Chapman worked 2.2 scoreless innings for the win in relief.
The G-Braves entered the bottom of the eighth inning trailing the Bulls, 5-4. With one out, Stefan Gartrell lifted his third hit of the game, a single, into center field. Yepez then delivered in the clutch as he lifted left-hander Cesar Ramos’s 3-2 offering deep to left. The towering drive landed just fair, giving Gwinnett their first and only lead of the game at 6-5.
Yohan Flande worked 6.1 innings for Gwinnett, surrendering five runs on eight hits. The left-hander struck out four and walked two in a no-decision. Chapman entered the game with one out in the seventh and allowed one of two inherited runners to score on a single by Cole Figueroa that gave the Bulls a 5-4 lead. A second run nearly scored on the same hit, but Luis Durango threw to Yepez at the plate just in time to catch Reid Brignac. The outfield assist was Durango’s team-leading ninth of the year.
Chapman (W, 3-4) struck out Craig Albernaz to end the seventh inning and then worked two more scoreless frames to pick up the win. The right-hander struck out Tim Beckham swinging to strand the tying run aboard in the ninth.
Gwinnett’s offense collected 10 total hits, with Gartrell’s 3-for-4 effort and Jose Constanza’s 2-for-3 showing accounting for half of the production. Constanza extended his hitting streak to 14 games, tying Felix Pie and Barbaro Canizares for the longest hitting streak in Gwinnett franchise history.
Photo courtesy of Chris Roughgarden
Sunday, July 8th G-Braves Starting Line-up from Coolray Field:
The Gwinnett Braves (42-49) conclude the series against the Durham Bulls (43-48) on Sunday afternoon. The first pitch at Coolray Field is scheduled for 2:05 PM. Right-handerJulio Teheran (5-5, 4.37) is set to start for the G-Braves against Bulls right-hander Lance Pendleton (4-2, 3.25). The game will be broadcast on WDUN 550 AM and 102.9 FM in Gainesville, GA with Tony Schiavone calling the play-by-play. The television broadcast will air on CSS.
Durham Bulls (3rd IL South) vs Gwinnett (4th IL South)
Sunday is Public Safety Day at Coolray Field, including Touch-a-Truck. Fans will get the opportunity to see awesome vehicles up close, including a fire truck, police car, ambulance and more. Sunday’s community focus is on Youth Athletics as the G-Braves recognize organizations that promote youth athletics and activities during the game. Finally, it’s another Family Sunday featuring pre-game catch in the outfield and a post-game base run for kids 12 and under. Tickets for all remaining home games are on sale now at the Coolray Field Box Office. Call (678) 277-0340 or visit gwinnettbraves.com for more information.
Photo courtesy of Kyle Hess
Durham Bulls Batting Order:
1) Rich Thompson, CF
2) Shawn O’Malley
3) Henry Wrigley, DH
4) Brandon Allen, RF
5) Chris Gimenez, 1B
6) Reid Brignac, 2B
7) Tim Beckham, SS
8) Cole Figueroa, 3B
9) Craig Alberanz, C
G-Braves Batting Order:
1) Jose Constanza, LF
2) Tyler Pastornicky, SS
3) Felix Pie, RF
4) Ernesto Mejia, 1B
5) Ruben Gotay, 3B
6) Stefan Gartrell, DH
7) Jose Yepez, C
8) Lance Zawadzki, 2B
9) Luis Durango, CF
Flande Seeking Third Straight Quality Start Tonight
Photo courtesy of Chris Roughgarden
Durham right-hander Matt Torra made a three-run first inning stand up as he worked 7.0 innings with one run allowed, leading the Bulls to a 4-1 win over the Gwinnett Braves on Friday night. The G-Braves managed only a run on a solo homer by Ruben Gotay in front of 7,907 fans at Coolray Field. With the loss, the G-Braves now trail third-place Durham by 2.0 games in the International League South Division.
The Bulls tallied three runs in the opening frame against Gwinnett starter Todd Redmondand never trailed. Rich Thompson led off the game with a double, then came around to score when the next hitter Jesus Feliciano singled him home for a 1-0 lead. Following back-to-back strikeouts by Redmond, Leslie Anderson touched up the right-hander for a two-run blast to straightaway center. Anderson’s ninth homer of the season made it a 3-0 Durham lead.
Redmond (L, 6-6) worked 6.0 innings and surrendered four earned runs on eight hits. The right-hander struck out eight and walked just two on 112 pitches, 68 strikes. The newest addition the Gwinnett bullpen from Advanced-A Lynchburg, Cole McCurry, made his G-Braves debut and was solid. The left-hander worked three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out two.
Felix Pie had the only multi-hit game for the G-Braves, going 2-for-4 with a double. Jose Constanza extended his hit streak to 13 games with an infield single in the eighth. The speedster ties Ernesto Mejia for the second-longest streak posted by a G-Brave this season and is one hit shy of tying the franchise record (14 games) held by Pie and Barbaro Canizares.
Photo courtesy of Chris Roughgarden
Saturday, July 7th G-Braves Starting Line-up from Coolray Field:
The Gwinnett Braves (41-49) ready themselves for the second of the three-game series against the Durham Bulls (43-47). The first pitch at Coolray Field is scheduled for 7:05 PM. Left-hander Yohan Flande (3-6, 3.59) is scheduled to start for the G-Braves against Bulls right-hander Chris Archer (5-8, 4.74). The game will be broadcast on WDUN 550 AM and 102.9 FM in Gainesville, GA with Tony Schiavone calling the play-by-play. The television broadcast will air on CSS.
Durham Bulls (3rd IL South) vs Gwinnett (4th IL South)
Saturday night’s game features a Chopper Baseball Giveaway for the first 2,000 fans, sponsored by Tyson® Any’tizes® snacks. Tickets for all remaining home games are on sale now at the Coolray Field Box Office. Call (678) 277-0340 or visit gwinnettbraves.com for more information.
Photo courtesy of Chris Roughgarden
Durham Bulls Batting Order:
1) Rich Thompson, CF
2) Shawn O’Malley
3) Henry Wrigley, DH
4) Brandon Allen, RF
5) Chris Gimenez, 1B
6) Reid Brignac, 2B
7) Tim Beckham, SS
8) Cole Figueroa, 3B
9) Craig Alberanz, C
G-Braves Batting Order:
1) Jose Constanza, LF
2) Tyler Pastornicky, SS
3) Felix Pie, RF
4) Ernesto Mejia, 1B
5) Ruben Gotay, 3B
6) Stefan Gartrell, DH
7) Jose Yepez, C
8) Lance Zawadzki, 2B
9) Luis Durango, CF
