Braves Edge Future Stars in Front of Record Coolray Crowd

Lawrenceville, GA - It was certainly a thrilling night - albeit a rain-shortened one - at Coolray Field on Tuesday night as the Atlanta Braves edged the Future Stars 4-3 in the first-ever "Atlanta Braves All-Stars vs. Future Stars Game." The home of the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves welcomed a franchise record 10,568 fans as Fredi Gonzalez's major leaguers bested Bobby Cox's group of talented youngsters in seven innings.

Among the many highlights of the night were Cox's standing ovation during pre-game player introductions and Braves' President John Schuerholtz's rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh-inning stretch.

The Future Stars held a 3-1 advantage heading into the bottom of the fifth, but the Braves pounded out three runs on three-straight extra-base hits off right-hander J.R. Graham of Advanced-A Lynchburg to claim victory.

With Graham on in the bottom of the fifth, Braves' third-baseman Juan Francisco reached on a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by David Ross. Two batters later, Michael Bourn stroked an RBI double scoring Francisco to cut the deficit to a run. Martin Prado's RBI triple scored pinch-runner Jose Constanza for the tying run, and Brian McCann notched the winning RBI with a double scoring pinch-runner Luis Durango.

The sides battled for scoreless sixth and seventh innings before rain halted the game. Braves' relievers Kris Medlen and Eric O'Flaherty (S, 1) combined on 2.0 scoreless innings. Right-hander Cristhian Martinez (W, 1-0) received the win despite allowing two earned runs in the top of the fifth for Atlanta.

The Future Stars took a 1-0 lead in the opening frame against Braves' left-hander Mike Minor as Lynchburg's Matt Lipka walked, stole second, advanced to third on first-baseman Freddie Freeman's throwing error and scored on an RBI groundout by Gwinnett's Joey Terdoslavich.

Atlanta knotted the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the second as Dan Uggla belted a towering solo home run off the top of the picnic tent in left field. The only home run of the game came off Future Stars' starter and 2011 Braves' first-round pick, left-hander Sean Gilmartin. It was the lone run and only hit allowed by Gilmartin over 2.0 innings of work.

Minor threw 3.0 innings and allowed only an unearned run while striking out four. Braves' right-hander Livan Hernandez added a scoreless frame before Martinez was tagged for two runs in the fifth.

Rome first-baseman Brandon Drury doubled and scored on an errant throw by Braves' catcher Ross, and Lynchburg's Edward Salcedo singled, stole both second and third base and scored thanks to heads-up base-running by Lipka. Though picked off of first base, Lipka stayed in a rundown long enough to allow Salcedo to reach the plate.

Still, it wouldn't be enough for Cox's Future Stars to hang on as Graham (L, 0-1) allowed three runs on four hits over one inning of work.

Bourn enjoyed the only multi-hit night for either side, finishing 2-for-3 with a double and a RBI for the Braves. The record-setting sell-out crowd at Coolray Field topped the previous franchise record of 10,427, set on April 17, 2009.

The Gwinnett Braves open the 2012 regular season on Thursday, April 5 as they take on Durham at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham, NC. Starting pitchers will be announced. Listen to the broadcast on WDUN AM 550 and 102.9 FM.

Tickets for all Gwinnett Braves games including Opening Night on Thursday, April 12 against Durham are on sale now at the Coolray Field Box Office. Call (678) 277-0340 or visit gwinnettbraves.com for more information.