Demeritte, Allard Key Stripers' 5-1 Win Over Rochester

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - Travis Demeritte hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to lead the Gwinnett Stripers (58-41) over the Rochester Red Wings (48-51) 5-1 on Saturday night at Coolray Field. Kolby Allard pitched 6.0 one-run innings and struck out six for the win.

Scoring Recap: The Stripers took a 1-0 lead in the fourth on a 394-foot solo home run to right-center by Alex Jackson (22) off Devin Smeltzer. Demeritte (20) extended Gwinnett's lead to 4-0 in the fifth with a 360-foot three-run homer to left off Smeltzer. Rochester ended the shutout in the sixth on a sacrifice fly from Ronald Torreyes to make it 4-1. In the eighth, Jonathan Morales scored on a wild pitch to put the Stripers up 5-1. 
Stripers Stats: Allard (W, 7-4) scattered four hits and walked two over 6.0 innings for his first win since June 23. Jeremy Walker (S, 1) worked 3.0 hitless innings and struck out five for his first Triple-A save. At the plate, Demeritte went 1-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs, and Sean Kazmar Jr. went 2-for-4 with a double.
Red Wings Stats: Smeltzer (L, 1-3) tossed 4.0 innings in relief and yielded four runs on four hits. Torreyes went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
Quote: "Coming off the rolled ankle, it was good to get out there and get off to a good start," Allard said. "I attacked the zone well and our offense was able to put up some runs."
Postgame Notes: With Demeritte hitting his 20th homer of the season, Gwinnett has three players with 20 home runs for the first time in franchise history (Adam Duvall has 28, Jackson has 22). Jackson has homered 10 times in his last 16 games dating back to June 27. The Stripers are an International League-best 19-8 (.704) since June 22.
Next Game (Sunday, July 21): Gwinnett vs. Rochester, 1:05 p.m. at Coolray Field. RHP Bryse Wilson (4-7, 4.67 ERA) for the Stripers vs. RHP Sean Poppen (5-0, 2.67 ERA) for the Red Wings. Radio Broadcast: 12:50 p.m. on 97.7 and 93.5 FM "The Other Side of the River."