Early Missed Opportunities Cost Stripers in 3-2 Loss to Worcester

Dalton Guthrie continued his strong September at the plate, but the offense stagnated late in the game. (Ismael Caro)

September 6, 2023

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers (61-71) took an early 2-0 lead after two innings, but their inability to push more runs across came back to hurt them later in the game as the Worcester Red Sox (73-60) used a three-run fifth to springboard into the lead and win 3-2

Decisive Plays: The Stripers loaded the bases with nobody out in the first when Jesus Aguilar grounded into a double play, scoring a run but taking the steam out of the inning. Gwinnett added to its early 1-0 lead in the second on an RBI single by Dalton Guthrie. A two-run home run by Bradley Zimmer (5) sparked a three-run inning for the Woo-Sox and gave them a 3-2 lead.

Key Contributors: Guthrie (2-for-4, RBI) had the only multi-hit game for Gwinnett while also recording the only RBI. Justus Sheffield (2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 SO) was very solid in his spot start. For Worcester, Zimmer (1-for-4, homer, 2 RBIs) stung the Stripers again in the fifth inning, this time with his two-run home run.

Noteworthy: Joe Hudson **recorded his 25^th and 26^th caught stealing of the year, extending International League lead in that category to four over Donny Sands, who has 22 with Toledo. Gwinnett drops to 14-14 in one-run games, with one-run losses in the first two games of the series. Guthrie is hitting .471 (8-for-17, homer, 5 RBIs) in five games to start September.

Next Game (Thursday, September 7): Gwinnett vs. Worcester, 7:05 p.m. ET at Coolray Field. Broadcast: 6:50 p.m. ET on MyCountry99.3.com. Starting pitcher is TBD for Gwinnett while Kyle Barraclough (8-0, 2.77 ERA) will go for Worcester. It’s Thirsty Thursday presented by Michelob Ultra at Coolray Field, with select 12-ounce domestic beers for just $2.

Dalton Guthrie