Braves Score Four in 8th to Top Pigs, 5-1

By Joe Fitzhenry (Photo Credit: Digital Photographic Imaging)

May 9, 2015

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs allowed four runs in the eighth and fell to the Gwinnett Braves by a score of 5-1 on Saturday night. The IronPigs drop to 9-21 with the loss while the Braves are now 14-15 on the season.

With things tied at one in the top of the eighth, Gwinnett's Adonis Garcia delivered a go-ahead RBI double as part of a four-run inning. With Barrett Kleinknecht at the plate, a wild pitch charged to RHP Seth Rosin (0.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB) allowed the second run of the inning to score. Kleinknecht brought home a run with an RBI single and Braeden Schlehuber followed with an RBI single of his own to open up a 5-1 lead for the Braves.

Lehigh Valley starter Adam Morgan departed with runners at first and second with one out in the afore-mentioned eighth inning. The southpaw was charged with three runs (two earned) on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts over 7.1 IP. Morgan was dealt the loss and falls to 0-4 on the season.

Gwinnett posted a run in the top half of the first inning as Eury Perez started the game with a solo home run to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. It was the first home run of the season for Perez.

The Pigs were able to get the run back in the second. Russ Canzler (3-4, 2 2B, R) led off with a double and advanced to third on the play as the Braves' Joe Benson had trouble handling the ball in right field. Jordan Danks brought home Canzler with a sac fly to even things at one apiece.

After the early run, Gwinnett LHP Greg Smith settled down and did not allow another run.

Smith tossed six innings and allowed one run (zero earned) on four hits with one walk and two strikeouts. The former IronPig received a no-decision.

Braves RHP Mitchell Boggs (1.0 IP, 2 H) earned the win to improve his record to 1-0 on the season.

In his first outing since April 27, LHP Adam Loewen (1.1 IP, 2 H, BB) had a scoreless outing for the IronPigs.

Sunday at 1:35 p.m. is the series finale as RHP Severino Gonzalez (1-1, 3.57) gets the ball for Lehigh Valley and he will be opposed by Gwinnett RHP Matt Wisler (1-3, 5.68).