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Gwinnett Stripers

R-Braves Blast Past Knights in Tenth

August 7, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


Fort Mill, SC - It took an extra inning but the Richmond Braves defeated the Charlotte Knights 9-4 in the series opener on Tuesday. The Braves used four home runs to improve to 65-50. The Knights dropped to 53-64 on the season. With the win, Richmond added a game to their lead in the International League's South Division. The Braves now hold a three and a half game lead over the second-place Durham Bulls, who lost Tuesday night.

The Braves who trailed the Knights for the first seven innings, used a three-run eighth inning to take a 4-3 lead. Brandon Jones capped the eighth when he doubled home Gregor Blanco to take the one-run lead. But Charlotte catcher Casey Rogowski took the first pitch he saw in the bottom of the eighth over the center field wall. Rogowski's ninth homer of the season tied the game at four.

Both teams were held scoreless in the ninth which took the game to extra innings. Jonathan Schuerholz led-off the Braves' tenth with his seventh double of the season. Then with one out, Brent Lillibridge quickly put Richmond in front with his two-run homer. Lillibridge took the first pitch he saw from Knights' reliever David Aardsma to give the Braves a 6-4 lead. And for the second consecutive game, Richmond got consecutive home runs. The next batter, Brandon Jones blasted a 3-2 pitch over the left field wall to give the Braves a 7-3 advantage. Jones, who hit a homer in Sunday's win, has now homered in back-to-back games. Later in the inning, Larry Bigbie hit the Braves third home run of the inning. Bigbie's two-run blast gave Richmond a comfortable, 9-4 lead.

Brent Lillibridge, Brandon Jones and Barbaro Canizares were each 3-for-5 in the game. Jonathan Schuerholz, who finished the game 2-for-4, also hit a home run to go along with the three tenth-inning homers. Barbaro Canizares recorded three hits for the second-straight game.

Royce Ring, who got the last out in the eighth inning and pitched a scoreless ninth inning, picked up his first win with Richmond. Ring is now 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA. Richmond starter Kevin Barry allowed two earned runs in five innings in the no-decision start. After allowing two of the tenth-inning home runs, Knights' reliever David Aardsma picked up the loss. Aardsma is now 3-2 with a 4.38 ERA.

The Braves take on the Knights in game two of the series on Wednesday night. The Braves are scheduled to send LHP Jo-Jo Reyes (2-0, 1.57 ERA) to face LHP Heath Phillips (10-7, 4.53 ERA). First pitch in the battle of the southpaws is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.

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International League Stories from August 7, 2007


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