G-Braves Hold Off Buffalo, 2-1

 

BUFFALO, NY - Behind the strong pitching of starter Casey Kelly and the bullpen, the Gwinnett Braves (46-56) edged the Buffalo Bisons (52-50) by a 2-1 score on Sunday afternoon in the finale of the four-game series at Coca-Cola Field.

 

With the win, the G-Braves swept the series, extended their winning streak to five games and won their 13^th straight game at Coca-Cola Field dating back to June of 2013.

 

Kelly (W, 3-6) pitched 7.0 scoreless, four-hit innings with two walks and four strikeouts for his first win since May 16 vs. Durham. It was his third straight quality start and seventh quality start overall this season.

 

The G-Braves' two runs came in the top of the fourth inning. Buffalo starting pitcher Scott Copeland walkedHector Olivera to lead off the inning and then gave up a double to right to Rio Ruiz. Wilmer Font entered from the bullpen to pitch to Sean Kazmar Jr., who greeted him with a two-run single to left-center.

 

Gwinnett maintained the 2-0 lead until the bottom of the eighth. With right-hander Stephen Janas pitching in relief, Darrell Ceciliani (6) cracked a solo home run to right, cutting the lead to 2-1.

 

In the bottom of the ninth, the G-Braves brought Bradley Roney in to pitch from the bullpen. After recording the first out, Roney got into trouble, giving up a single to Domonic Brown and then walking Matt Dominguez and Andy Burns to load the bases. But Roney got Tony Sanchez to ground into a 6-4-3 double play to end the game.

 

Following Kelly, Janas (H, 4) went 1.0 inning with two hits and one run. Roney (S, 3) worked 1.0 inning with one hit and two walks.

 

For Buffalo, Copeland (L, 0-1) pitched 3.0 innings with five hits, two earned runs and two walks. Font went 4.0 innings with one hit and one strikeout. Aaron Loup worked a scoreless top of the eighth and Danny Barnes pitched a scoreless top of the ninth with one hit.

 

Kazmar Jr. led the Gwinnett charge, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs. 

 

Ceciliani was 2-for-4 with a solo home run and Ryan Goins was 2-for-3 for the Bisons.

 

After an off day on Monday, the Gwinnett Braves return to Coolray Field on Tuesday night to begin a three-game series with the Indianapolis Indians. The G-Braves will start right-hander Chris Ellis (1-4, 7.48), while the Indians will counter with right-hander Trevor Williams (6-4, 2.85). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Dave Lezotte will have the broadcast of the game beginning at 6:35 p.m. on 97.7 FM.