McCann Homers, but G-Braves Fall 6-2

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - For the second straight night, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (15-11) put a damper on Brian McCann's visit to Coolray Field as they clipped Gwinnett Braves (12-17), 6-2 on Friday night. McCann, continuing a minor league injury rehab assignment, went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an RBI in front of a season-high 6,869 fans.

Gwinnett fell behind in the top of the first as starter Yohan Flande struggled. David Adams and Zoilo Almonte hit back-to-back singles with one out. Two batters later, Addison Maruszak delivered his second two-run double of the series, giving the RailRiders a 2-0 lead.

McCann put the G-Braves on the board in the fourth, blasting a homer over the right field fence against Scranton starter Graham Stoneburner. McCann's fourth home run on his rehab stint (including three with Class-A Rome) cut the deficit to 2-1.

The RailRiders got the run back in the top of the fifth. Hits by Luke Murton and Gil Velasquez set up Corban Joseph, who delivered an RBI single to push the lead to 3-1.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre furthered their distance with a three-run sixth inning. Ronnier Mustelier doubled to start the frame, and Maruszak moved him over to third on a sacrifice bunt and fielding error by Flande. With runners on the corners, the left-hander was lifted for Roman Colon. Melky Mesa smacked his first offering of the night for a two-run double, making it 5-1. After a walk and a passed ball, Mesa came around to score on a double play ground out by Bobby Wilson.

Flande (L, 1-2) yielded five runs, four earned, on eight hits over 5.0 innings in his second consecutive loss. Colon gave up an unearned run over 2.0 innings and both Wirfin Obispo and Cory Rasmus pitched scoreless frames.

Gwinnett's final run of the night came in the bottom of the seventh, as Joey Terdoslavich smacked his fifth homer of the season over the right field fence to make it 6-2.

The two solo blasts would be the only damage allowed all night by the RailRiders, as the staff held the G-Braves to two runs on nine hits. Stoneburner (W, 2-1) picked up the victory, allowing one earned run on three hits over 5.0 innings. Four Scranton relievers combined to allow a run on six hits over the final 4.0 innings.

Terdoslavich tried his best to keep the G-Braves in the game, as he connected for three hits for the second straight night. The switch-hitting outfielder has posted multi-hit games in 12 of his last 18 games. McCann was the only other Gwinnett hitter with a multi-hit game.

The RailRiders' offense amassed nine hits on the evening, as eight of their nine starters recorded at least one hit. Murton led the way with a 2-for-3 performance, while Maruszek and Mesa each added two RBI.

The Gwinnett Braves will try and end a six-game losing streak in game three of the series with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, set for Saturday night at 7:05 PM. Right-hander Tim Corcoran (1-2, 3.12 ERA) will start for the G-Braves against right-hander Dellin Betances (1-2, 7.58) of the RailRiders. Listen to the game on WDUN 550 AM and 102.9 FM with Tony Schiavone calling the play-by-play.

The first 2,000 fans in attendance on Saturday night will receive a Drawstring Bag presented by Dave & Buster's. Tickets for all Gwinnett Braves home games are on sale now at the Coolray Field Box Office. Call (678) 277-0340 or visit gwinnettbraves.com for more information.