G-Braves Fall in Extras on Almanzar's Homer
LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - The Gwinnett Braves (3-3) found themselves on the other end of yet another extra-inning finish Tuesday, falling 3-1 in 11 innings to the Norfolk Tides (3-3) at Coolray Field.
Gwinnett beat the Tides 5-4 in 10 innings Monday on a walk-off single by Pedro Ciriaco, but Norfolk's Michael Almanzar was the hero this time around. He crushed a 2-0 pitch from G-Braves' righty Aaron Kurcz (L, 0-1) over the left-field fence with two outs in the 11th to give the Tides their two-run advantage.
The G-Braves fell to 2-1 in extra-inning games this season, as Norfolk right-handed reliever Chaz Roe (S, 1) closed out the game with a double play. Jose Peraza lined out to first base on a play that doubled off Todd Cunningham. Right-hander Michael Bowden (W, 1-0) earned the win with 1.0 scoreless frame.
The loss spoiled Gwinnett right-handed starter Mike Foltynewicz's second start of the year. The Atlanta Braves' No. 3 prospect in MLB.com's rankings has allowed just one run in both of his 2015 starts. However, the offense has yet to provide him with a run of support, as the G-Braves did not score until the eighth inning Tuesday.
Gwinnett dropped Foltynewicz's first start 1-0 Thursday in the season opener against the Durham Bulls. He has compiled a 2.08 ERA through 8.2 innings with eight hits allowed, six walks and 12 strikeouts.
Foltynewicz held the Tides scoreless through the first 4.2 innings with five strikeouts and a fastball that reached 99 mph. However, a double, a walk and a run-scoring single to left field by Steve Clevenger gave Norfolk a lead and ended Foltynewicz's night with two outs in the fifth.
Left-handed reliever Ian Thomas got Henry Urrutia to ground out to first base to halt the threat. That also ended the line for Foltynewicz, who finished with four walks and five strikeouts on 94 pitches, 55 of which were strikes.
Thomas and right-hander John Cornely combined for 5.1 scoreless innings. Each allowed one hit, while Cornely walked a batter and struck out two in his 3.0 innings.
Norfolk right-handed starter Tyler Wilson struck out five Gwinnett batters and also recorded nine groundouts, including six in a row in the third and fourth innings. He shut out Gwinnett on four hits with no walks and five strikeouts in 6.0 innings.
But the G-Braves got to his replacement, righty Pedro Beato, in the eighth.
Sean Kazmar led off the inning with a double to left field, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Braeden Schlehuber and scored on a sacrifice fly by Cunningham.
Kazmar led the offense with a 2-for-4 night. Cunningham, Eury Perez, Adonis Garcia and Elmer Reyes also had a hit, but Garcia and Reyes were both thrown out trying to steal second base. Norfolk catcher Clevenger also caught Cedric Hunter trying to steal second in the eighth inning after Hunter came on to pinch run for Schlehuber, who had reached on a fielder's choice .
Nolan Reimold scored the Tides' first run of the game as part of a 3-for-4 night with two singles, a double and a stolen base. He improved his batting average to .350 on the season.
Gwinnett will open a two-game home series Wednesday against the Charlotte Knights, Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. The game is scheduled to begin at 6:35 p.m. Lefty starter Manny Banuelos (0-0, 2.45 ERA), the Atlanta Braves' No. 12 prospect according to MLB.com, will be on the mound for the G-Braves. The Knights will start right-hander Chris Beck (0-0, 5.79 ERA). Tony Schiavone has the play-by-play call on 97.7 FM and WSBRadio.com.
Fans will be able to follow along with the on-field action by playing Baseball Bingo for a chance to win great prizes on the first Winning Wednesday of the year. Kids ages 12 and under will also receive a voucher for a hot dog, chips and a soda on Kids Eat Free Night. To purchase tickets, call the Coolray Field Ticket Office at 678-277-0340 or visit GwinnettBraves.com/tickets.
# # #
The Gwinnett Braves are the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Follow the G-Braves at GwinnettBraves.com, facebook.com/GwinnettBraves1 and twitter.com/GwinnettBraves. Tickets are on sale now at the Coolray Field Ticket Office, call 678-277-0340 or visit GwinnettBraves.com/tickets.