NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Gwinnett Stripers

Braves Beat Bats, 6-4

June 27, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


Louisville, KY - The Richmond Braves defeated the Louisville Bats, 6-4, in extra-innings on Thursday. It took 10 innings but the Braves picked up their second-straight win and improved to 45-32 on the season. The Bats dropped to 40-39.

Richmond lead-off batter Gregor Blanco reached on a free pass in the top of the first inning. Blanco, who later stole second, was moved to third on a Brent Lillibridge ground out to Bats' second baseman Jeff Keppinger. The third batter of the game, Martin Prado drove home Blanco with his ground out to Keppinger, to give the Braves an early 1-0 lead

Louisville took the lead in the bottom of the third inning when first baseman Joey Votto smashed a three-run home run over the right field wall. Ryan Freel and Keppinger each scored on the blast by Votto.

The Braves rallied with three runs in the seventh to re-take a 4-3 lead. Richmond got things rolling with three-straight singles to start the frame. Martin Prado, Brayan Pena and Carlos Mendez collected back-to-back-to-back singles. The third single, off the bat of Carlos Mendez, scored Prado to make it a one-run game. Two batters and two outs later, Wes Timmons singled in a pair of runs to give the Braves a 4-3 lead.

Manny Acosta came on in relief in the bottom of the seventh inning and recorded eight outs but also allowed two Bats to reach in the bottom of the ninth. Will Startup replaced Acosta to try to record the final out but was unsuccessful in his bid to end the contest. Louisville prospect Joey Votto was the first and last batter Startup faced. Votto fell behind 1-2 in the count but showed patience and drew a full count. With runners on the corners, Startup chucked ball four in the dirt. The ball got behind Braves' catcher Corky Miller, which allowed Ryan Freel who was on third, to come home and score the game-tying run.

In the top of the tenth inning, Gregor Blanco stole his second base of the game to reach scoring position. Brent Lillibridge came up next and singled home Blanco to take a 5-4 lead. Then with two outs, Martin Prado drilled a two-out, RBI double to centerfield to give the Braves a final 6-4 advantage.

Martin Prado, who was 2-for-5 in the win, led the Richmond charge. Gregor Blanco, Brent Lillibridge and Brayan Pena all recorded two hits in the game.

Jo-Jo Reyes, the Braves' starter, pitched six more solid innings on Wednesday. Reyes allowed three earned runs but did not receive a decision. Manny Acosta, Will Startup and Buddy Hernandez all saw action on Wednesday. Acosta recorded two and two-thirds innings, Startup failed to get the batter he came in for and Hernandez pitched one and one-third inning to close out the victory and earn his sixth win of the season and improved to a 2.03 ERA.

Louisville starter Shawn Livingston, one of six pitchers used by Louisville in the game, pitched six innings and allowed just one earned run. Bats' reliever Jason Kershner allowed the game-winning run for Richmond and dropped the decision to fall to 5-4 with a 4.27 ERA.

The Bats were led by the top four batters in their lineup including Joey Votto, who was 2-for-4 with a three-run home run. Ryan Freel, Jeff Keppinger, Aaron Herr joined Votto with two hits in the loss.

The Braves' Kevin Barry (3-3, 3.53 ERA) will toe the rubber on Thursday, in the third of four games at Louisville. Righty Elizardo Ramirez (0-1, 2.45 ERA) will take the mound for the Bats. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Check out the Gwinnett Stripers Statistics

• Discuss this story on the International League message board...

International League Stories from June 27, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central