G-Braves open new season with win over Norfolk

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA — Behind the stellar pitching of right-handed starter Jhoulys Chacin and a trio of relievers, the Gwinnett Braves (1-0) blanked the Norfolk Tides (0-1) by a 2-0 score on Thursday night in the 2016 International League season opener for both teams and game one of the four-game series at Harbor Park.
 
The G-Braves scratched out a run in the top of the first inning to take a very early lead they would never lose. Mallex Smith led off the game with a triple to left-center off Tides’ starter Odrisamer Despaigne and scored on a groundout to second by Daniel Castro.
 
Chacin (W, 1-0) made that slim lead stand up during a dominant first start in a Gwinnett uniform. He worked 7.2 innings with five hits allowed, two walks and seven strikeouts.
 
Chris Withrow (H, 1) relieved Chacin with two outs and the tying run at second base in the bottom of the eighth. He retired the only batter he faced to preserve the 1-0 advantage.
 
In the top of the ninth, facing Norfolk reliever Chaz Roe, the G-Braves added their final run. Smith blooped a double to right and moved to third on a single by Castro. Reid Brignac followed with a single to left, plating Smith for a 2-0 lead.
 
Norfolk made a final run in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases with two outs against Brandon Cunniff (H, 1). David Peterson (S, 1) nailed down the win out of the bullpen, getting Paul Janish to bounce into a force play to end the game.
 
For Norfolk, Despaigne (L, 0-1) went 5.0 innings with four hits, one earned run and five strikeouts. Jason Stoffel pitched 1.0 inning with one walk and one strikeout. Edgar Olmos worked 1.0 inning with two walks and three strikeouts. Roe went 2.0 innings, gave up one earned run on four hits and struck out three.
 
Smith, the Atlanta Braves’ No. 11 prospect according to MLB.com, paced the G-Braves with a 2-for-5 night at the plate. He doubled, tripled and scored both runs. Brignac went 1-for-3 with an RBI, and Castro went 1-for-4 with an RBI.
 
For the Tides, Dariel Alvarez was 2-for-4 and Christian Walker was 2-for-3.
 
The G-Braves and Tides continue the four-game series on Friday night at Harbor Park. Right-hander Mike Foltynewicz (0-0, 0.00) will start for Gwinnett. Norfolk will counter with left-hander Nick Additon (0-0, 0.00). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Tony Schiavone has the play-by-play call on 97.7 FM and WSBRadio.com beginning at 6:30 p.m.