Yepez, G-Braves Edge IronPigs, 5-4

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - The Gwinnett Braves (52-72) fell behind 4-2 early in the game, but fought back for a 5-4 win over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (63-61) on Monday afternoon at Coolray Field. Jose Yepez's RBI double in the eighth broke a 4-4 tie, helping the G-Braves salvage the series and avoid the sweep.

With the game tied since the bottom of the second inning, Phil Gosselin started things off in the eighth with a single to right off of reliever Phillippe Aumont (L, 0-2). He moved to second on a bunt by Joe Leonard and scored on Yepez's RBI double to right-center, giving the G-Braves their first lead of the game. Gwinnett loaded the bases afterward, but added no further runs of insurance.

Lehigh Valley threatened to tie the game again in the ninth as Tyson Gillies reached on a one-out bunt single and stole second, but Wirfin Obispo (S, 7) locked down the save with help from a fantastic defensive play. Leonard's diving catch at third base robbed Pete Orr of a game-tying hit, ending the game.

The IronPigs had been off to a great start, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. Consecutive singles by Freddy Galvis, Steve Susdorf, Josh Fields and Cody Overbeck off of starter Omar Poveda plated the three runs. Fields picked up an RBI single, while Overbeck added a two-run single to open up a 3-0 lead.

Gwinnett answered by scoring two runs in the bottom of the frame. Todd Cunningham reached on a hit-by-pitch, advanced to second on a single by Tyler Pastornicky and scored on an RBI single by Ernesto Mejia.  Pastornicky scored the second run of the inning on an error by the shortstop Galvis.

The IronPigs added another run in the second, but Gwinnett came right back to tie it up at 4-4 in the bottom half of the frame. Yepez reached on an error by Galvis and Sean Kazmar doubled, putting runners on second and third with no outs. Poveda and Jose Constanza drove in the runners with RBI groundouts, knotting the game at 4-4.

Poveda settled down after giving up four runs early in the game. He tossed 6.0 innings, scattering eight hits, allowing four earned runs and striking out five. The right-hander didn't factor in the decision, but left-hander Ryan Buchter (W, 2-0) did, hurling 2.0 scoreless innings with one walk and two strikeouts. 

Left-hander Tom Cochran yielded four runs, one earned on eight hits over 5.0 innings for Lehigh Valley. Jay Johnson, Aumont and Mike MacDougal combined to allow one run over the final 3.0 innings.

Pastornicky paced the G-Braves' attack, going 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Cunningham added two hits and run scored. Gosselin extended his hitting streak to six games, going 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Galvis led the IronPigs, going 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Overbeck added two RBIs on 1-for-4 hitting.

The Gwinnett Braves return to action on Tuesday night at 6:05 PM as they host the Durham Bulls at Coolray Field. Right-hander Kameron Loe (4-3, 3.21) will start for Gwinnett, while right-hander Jake Odorizzi will start for Durham. The radio broadcast will air on WDUN 550 AM and 102.9 FM with Tony Schiavone calling the play-by-play.

Tuesday night is another "Team Tuesday" at Coolray Field, with all kids (ages 12 and under) wearing their Youth Athletics jerseys receiving a free ticket with the purchase of an Adult ticket (limit one ticket per adult). The first 500 fans will receive a poster of Gwinnett Braves' pitcher David Hale, who will be signing autographs from 5:05 to 5:20 PM. To purchase tickets, call the Coolray Field Box Office at (678) 277-0340 or visit gwinnettbraves.com.