LAWRENCEVILLE -- The Gwinnett pitching staff delivered a stellar performance Thursday in front of 6,109 fans on Opening Night at Coolray Field, but the Gwinnett Braves could not scratch across a run in a 1-0 loss to the Durham Bulls.
The loss was the third Opening Day defeat in the seven-year history of the G-Braves (0-1) and their second consecutive to the Bulls, which also took the first game of the 2014 season 7-6 in Durham (1-0). The G-Braves had won their three other season openers at home.
With Pace of Game rules in effect for the first time in Minor League history, the G-Braves sent Atlanta’s No. 3 prospect, right-hander Mike Foltynewicz (L, 0-1), to the mound for his fourth Opening Day start in his five-year professional career.
His only blemish came when Bulls’ designated hitter Joey Butler led off the second inning with a home run to left field to give Durham a 1-0 lead. Butler launched Foltynewicz’s third pitch of the inning after the right-hander needed 11 pitches, including eight strikes, to set the Bulls down in order in the first.
Foltynewicz finished his 4.0 innings with 79 pitches (51 strikes) and seven strikeouts with two walks and a wild pitch.
Durham countered with right-hander Dylan Floro (W, 1-0). He needed just 61 pitches (46 strikes) to get through 6.0 innings with one strikeout. The G-Braves mustered their lone hit off Floro in the second inning when designated hitter Cedric Hunter singled to right field.
The bullpens for each squad were equally dominant. G-Braves’ right-hander Sugar Ray Marimon did not allow a hit in 3.0 innings of relief with two strikeouts, while righty Michael Kohn threw the final 2.0 innings with two hits allowed and a strikeout. He also forced the Bulls to hit into two double plays.
Bulls’ right-handed reliever Brandon Gomes (H, 1) gave up the G-Braves’ second hit, as right fielder Eury Perez led off the seventh with a bunt single. He tried to steal second base in the next at-bat but was thrown out by Durham catcher Luke Maile.
Durham right-hander Jose Dominguez (S, 1) struck out two of the three hitters he faced in the ninth to record the save. However, Braves’ top-ranked prospect, second baseman Jose Peraza reached on a single to right field with two outs to extend the game to Perez. He then popped out to second baseman Ryan Brett to end the game after 2 hours, 10 minutes.
The G-Braves and Bulls will continue their series at 7:05 p.m. Friday at Coolray Field. Left-hander Manny Banuelos, the No. 12 prospect in the Atlanta Braves' system according to MLB.com, will go for Gwinnett in his first start of the season. Durham will send left-hander Everett Teaford to the mound. Tony Schiavone has the play-by-play call on 97.7 FM.
The first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive 2015 Gwinnett Braves magnetic schedules, and the first Fireworks Friday display of the year will follow the game. To purchase tickets, call the Coolray Field Ticket Office at 678-277-0340 or visit GwinnettBraves.com/tickets.
