Blanco, Wright Lift Stripers to 4-1 Win Over Norfolk

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - Andrés Blanco blasted a three-run home run and Kyle Wright won for the fifth straight start with 7.0 one-run innings as the Stripers (65-44) defeated the Norfolk Tides (41-68) 4-1 on Wednesday night at Coolray Field. The win, coupled with a loss by Durham (62-48), gives the Stripers a season-best 3.5-game lead in the International League South Division.

Scoring Recap: Alex Jackson (24) gave the Stripers a 1-0 lead in the third inning with a 444-foot solo homer to left-center off Keegan Akin. In the fifth, Blanco (15) hit a 388-foot three-run blast to right off Josh Lucas to make it 4-0 Stripers. Norfolk ended the shutout in the sixth on a two-out RBI single from Mason Williams.
Stripers Stats: Wright (W, 9-4) struck out eight in 7.0 innings of work and yielded one run on four hits. Rehabbing Atlanta Braves' right-hander Jacob Webb (H, 1) and Thomas Burrows (S, 6) each worked a scoreless inning in relief. Blanco went 1-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs to pace the offense.
Tides Stats: Akin (L, 4-5) pitched 4.0 innings and surrendered three runs on three hits. Williams went 1-for-4 and drove in the lone run for Norfolk.
Quote: "He was trying to set me up with a slider so I had to make an adjustment," Blanco said of his home run. "I was seeing the ball better and really put a good swing on it."
Postgame Notes: In seven starts with Gwinnett since June 14, Wright leads all International League pitchers in wins (6-0), ERA (2.22), strikeouts (51), WHIP (0.99), and BAA (.211). Jackson has 12 homers in 24 games since June 27, tied for the IL lead in that span.
Next Game (Thursday, August 1): Gwinnett vs. Norfolk, 7:05 p.m. at Coolray Field. RHP Touki Toussaint (1-1, 5.40 ERA) for the Stripers vs. TBD for the Tides. Radio Broadcast: 6:50 p.m. on 97.7 and 93.5 FM "The Other Side of the River."