Terdoslavich, G-Braves Walk Off, 8-7
LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - After recording a season-high four hits on Friday night, Joey Terdoslavich followed up on Saturday by recording his first two-homer game since April 18, 2011. His walk-off two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth sent the Coolray Field crowd of 9,284 home happy as the Gwinnett Braves (33-44) came back for a 9-8 win over the Syracuse Chiefs (28-45). The G-Braves have now won five-straight games.
The G-Braves won despite a shaky performance from starter Omar Poveda. The right-hander allowed a season high five runs on eight hits in 5.0 innings. However, the offense had his back as they pounded out 12 hits and scored nine runs.
Both teams got on the board early, scoring a run in the first. Syracuse used a lead-off double by Will Rhymes, a sacrifice bunt by Danny Espinosa and an RBI groundout by Corey Brown to take a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the first, Gwinnett took advantage of a throwing error by catcher Brian Jeroloman to push across their first run.
The Chiefs didn't stop there, scoring one run in the third, two in the fourth and one in the fifth to take a 5-1 lead. In the third inning, Tyler Moore walked and scored on an RBI double by Chris Rahl. In the bottom of the fourth, Danny Espinosa smacked a two-run double down the left field line, scoring Jeroloman and Rhymes to make it 4-1. Zach Walters capped the scoring, lacing his 17th homer of the season over the right field fence, extending the lead to 5-1.
Syracuse starter Ryan Tatusko stifled the G-Braves through four innings, as he held the offense to four hits and no earned runs. However, Gwinnett exploded for six runs off of the right-hander in the bottom of the fifth. Poveda led off with a single and Jose Constanza followed with a single, putting runners on first and second with no outs. After a fielder's choice, Terdoslavich hit his 16th homer of the season over the right field fence. The dinger cut the deficit to 5-4. Back-to-back walks to Ernesto Mejia and Alden Carriters set up a two out RBI opportunity for Jose Yepez. The backstop delivered with a two-run double to left, making it 6-5. Luis Nunez added to lead with an RBI double of his own, extending the lead to 7-5.
In the ninth, Moore walked to lead off and was followed by a Rahl single. After Walters showed bunt on the first pitch, he took the next offering from Cory Rasmus (W, 3-1) over the right field fence, giving the Chiefs an 8-7 lead.
For Rasmus, it was his first blown save in eight chances. However, Chiefs closer Michael Broadway (L, 1-1) didn't fare any better. He gave up a leadoff single to Todd Cunningham after a nine pitch at bat, which saw Cunningham battle back from a 0-2 count. The key hit would set the stage for Terdoslavich, who drove Broadway's first offering out to deep right-center.
Terdoslavich finished the night with a team-high three hits and five RBI, while Constanza, Cunningham and Nunez picked up two hits each.
Walters led the Chiefs, going 2-for-5 with two homers and four RBI.
The Gwinnett Braves return to action Sunday afternoon as they host the Syracuse Chiefs for doubleheader starting at 2:05 PM. Braves right-hander Cody Martin (1-0, 0.00) will get the ball in game one, while Kameron Loe (2-1, 4.19) will toe the rubber in game two. Syracuse will throw left-hander Danny Rosenbaum (5-3, 3.76) in game one and right-hander Tanner Roark (3-3, 4.07) in game two. Listen to the games on WDUN 550 AM and 102.9 FM with Tony Schiavone calling the play-by-play. Game one of the doubleheader will also be televised on CSS.
The first 2,000 fans in attendance on Sunday will receive a Fifth Anniversary Logo Drawstring Bag courtesy of Dave & Buster's. "Family Sunday" also includes Pre-Game Catch in the Outfield prior to game one and the Post-Game Kids Base Run following game two. To purchase tickets, call the Coolray Field Box Office at (678) 277-0340 or visit gwinnettbraves.com.
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