The Lead: The Gwinnett Braves won their second straight game, taking the series opener against the Norfolk Tides 8-3 on Monday night at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville, GA. Atlanta Brave Jair Jurrjens (on an ML Rehab) looked healthy and it showed as he combined with a G-Braves power outburst to clinch the victory. The Gwinnett Braves (3-2) are now in second place in the International League South division, while the winless Tides (0-5) are in fourth place.
It Was Over When: With the score knotted at 2-2 going into the bottom of the sixth inning, G-Braves Mauro Gomez and Wilkin Ramirez broke the game open with back-to-back homers to the exact same spot (about 10 feet apart over the wall in left-center) for a 6-2 lead the team wouldn’t relinquish.
Braves Beat:
On the Mound: RHP Jurrjens (1-0) went 6.0 IP, allowing 4 H, 2 R/ER, 2 BB and 3 K’s while offering up a HR. He threw 81 pitches, including 48 strikes.
At the plate: The team broke open offensively. One night after getting their first home run and highest run total of the season, the G-Braves surpassed both with new season highs of 3 HRs and 8 runs. The 3 HRs were the most by the team since 8/22/10 at Charlotte (4 total). G-Braves DH Gomez and RF Ramirez became the first players to go back-to-back homers since that same August game from last season when they did the deed in the 6th inning. Ramirez hit another homer in the 8th inning, finishing up 2-for-4 with 2 R, 2 HR and 3 RBI. Gomez finished with the same line, while SS Ed Lucas (hitless coming into tonight) was 2-for-3 with 2 RBI. First baseman Joe Mather went 1-for-4, extending his season-opening hitting streak to a team high 5 games.
The Opposition:
On the Mound: Norfolk LHP Troy Patton went 3.0 IP, allowing just one hit with 4 K’s before leaving with an undisclosed injury after diving for a bunted ball in the 4th inning. LHP Mark Hendrickson (0-1) went 3.0 IP and allowed 5 R/ER in the loss.
At the Plate: Tides 1B Nolan Reimold went 1-for-4 with a homer off of Jurrjens to lead his squad.
On Deck: Gwinnett gets after the middle game of a three game series with the Norfolk Tides. The G-Braves will get another first-time starter for 2011 when LHP Mike Minor (No record), who was originally scheduled to be the team’s Opening Day starter before getting called up for a spot start for Atlanta. He will face off against RHP Ryan Drese (0-0, 3.00 ERA). The game can be heard on the home of the G-Braves, WDUN 550 AM/102.9 FM.
Etc: Tuesday, fans can come out for Kraft Singles Tuesday Night Tickets. Just bring a wrapper of your favorite Kraft Singles product to get a 2-for-1 ticket deal on selected seats.
# # # Contact Media Relations Coordinator Nick Margiasso at 678-277-0320 or Nick.Margiasso@braves.com.
