Braves squeak past Chiefs 1-0

The Syracuse Chiefs (55-67), the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, gave up just two hits but still fell 1-0 to the Gwinnett Braves (69-57) Thursday at Alliance Bank Stadium. Chiefs starter Brad Peacock dealt a seven-inning one-hitter with six strikeouts and five walks in the loss.

Peacock started out hot, using two strikeouts to help retire the Braves in order in the first. He gave up a single to Brandon Hicks to start the second, but that was the only hit the righty allowed. His best highlight came when he struck out the side in the fourth.

Gwinnett starter Todd Redmond wasn't quite as good out of the gates but got into a rhythm quickly. He gave up three singles in the first two innings, but after the third hit, he retired 12 straight Chiefs through the fifth.

The Braves had their best chance against Peacock in the fifth when the Syracuse starter got himself into trouble. With Jeff Fiorentino on first after drawing a walk, J.C. Boscan chopped a slow grounder to second baseman Matt Antonelli. But with a hit-and-run call on, Fiorentino made it all the way to third despite the ground out. Peacock then walked Redmond to put runners on the corners, but he drew a ground out from Matt Young to keep Gwinnett off the scoreboard.

The Chiefs' best opportunity against Redmond then came in the bottom of the sixth. After a Peacock strikeout, Roger Bernadina lined a single to center field. Redmond then walked Antonelli, struck out Chris Marrero and walked Jesus Valdez to load the bases. Jhonatan Solano stepped to the plate but chopped into a force out at second to end the inning.

Redmond stayed in the dugout after the sixth. He gave up just four hits and dealt six strikeouts and two walks in his shutout start.

But Redmond's exit didn't help the Chiefs in the seventh. J.J. Hoover took over on the mound and dealt three strikeouts to put Syracuse down in order.

Peacock finally left the game after the seventh, and Gwinnett took advantage. Chiefs lefty Atahualpa Severino retired the first two batters he faced, but extended the inning by hitting Stefan Gartrell with a pitch and walking Hicks. Wilkin Castillo then lined a single to right, and Gartrell barely beat the diving tag from Solano to break the scoreless tie.

Now nursing a 1-0 lead, Hoover again dealt a perfect inning, this time with two strikeouts to keep Gwinnett in front. Chiefs reliever Josh Wilkie kept the Braves off the basepaths in the top of the ninth, but Gwinnett closer Jaye Chapman returned the favor in the bottom of the frame to secure the win.

Syracuse closes out its series with the Braves Friday at 7:00 at Alliance Bank Stadium. Chiefs lefty Tommy Milone will battle Gwinnett southpaw Yohan Flande.