LAWRENCEVILLE -- Unlike Thursday night, the Gwinnett Braves could not overcome an early deficit and fell 5-3 to the Norfolk Tides in game two of the four-game series on Friday night.<br />
<br />
Norfolk (55-65) took the lead in the top of the second inning. Cord Phelps drew a four-pitch walk from starter Aaron Northcraft and scored on an RBI triple by Jimmy Paredes, making it 1-0. Julio Borbon singled in Paredes to make it 2-0.<br />
<br />
The Tides weren't done there, scoring three runs on five hits in the third inning. The first run of the frame came on a bases-loaded double play groundout by Henry Urrutia, while Paredes and Ivan DeJesus connected for RBI singles to extend the lead to 5-0.<br />
<br />
Gwinnett (53-67) cut into the deficit with a run in the bottom of the third and two in the fifth.<br />
<br />
In the third inning, Todd Cunningham laced a single up the middle with runners on first and second to bring the G-Braves within four. After issuing a walk to load the bases, Norfolk starter Josh Stinson retired the next two hitters to end the threat.<br />
<br />
In the fifth, Joey Terdoslavich (9) clubbed his team-leading ninth home run of the year, a solo shot off the batter's eye in center to make it 5-2. The G-Braves added another run on an RBI single by Ozzie Martinez, cutting the deficit to 5-3. His second hit of the game plated Christian Bethancourt, who singled earlier in the inning.<br />
<br />
Despite giving up five runs early in the game, Northcraft (L, 0-6) had one of his best outings of the season. He tossed a season-high 7.0 innings, allowing 10 hits and five runs. He retired 12 of the last 14 batters he faced on the night. Left-hander Luis Avilan added 2.0 scoreless, one-hit innings in relief.<br />
<br />
Stinson (W, 4-4) worked 5.0 innings, allowing three runs on nine hits to collect the victory for Norfolk. The Tides' bullpen was dominant in relief, as Robert Coello (H, 2), Ryan Webb (H, 1), Preston Guilmet (H, 1) and Evan Meek (S, 11) combined to toss 4.0 scoreless frames. Meek recorded the save with a perfect ninth inning.<br />
<br />
The G-Braves were held hitless after the fifth inning. Martinez led the way, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Jose Constanza went 1-for-5 to extend his hitting streak to 12 games, and Joe Leonard went 1-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to six games.<br />
<br />
Christian Walker collected a game-high three hits and scored a run for the Tides. Paredes went 2-for-4 with the triple and two RBIs.<br />
<br />
The Gwinnett Braves and Norfolk Tides play game three of the series at Coolray Field on Saturday night, first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM. Right-hander Kanekoa Texeira (2-3, 5.14) will start for the G-Braves, while the Tides will counter with left-hander Chris Jones (6-7, 4.05). Tony Schiavone will have the play-by-play call beginning at 6:50 PM on WDUN.com, GwinnettBraves.com, Tune-In Radio and the MiLB First Pitch app. The game will also be televised on WSB-TV 2.2 MeTV with broadcasters Van Earl Wright and Dave Lezotte.<br />
<br />
On Saturday night, the first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a miniature football, presented by Gwinnett Medical Center, for "Football Night." Current ESPN analyst and former University of Georgia defensive lineman David Pollack will kick off Football Night by throwing out the first pitch. Tickets are on sale now at the Coolray Field Ticket Office, call 678-277-0340 or visit GwinnettBraves.com to purchase.
