G-Braves top Mud Hens, end six game slide

TOLEDO, Ohio — The Gwinnett Braves used timely hitting and strong pitching to end a six-game slide and defeat the Toledo Mud Hens by a 3-1 score in game one of the three-game series at Fifth Third Field Tuesday night.
 
The G-Braves also ended a 28.2 inning-scoreless streak that began Saturday night in Columbus.
 
Gwinnett (11-9) put an end to the scoreless streak in the top of the fifth as with two out, Emilio Bonifacio, Chase d’Arnaud and Reid Brignac collected consecutive singles, the latter scoring Bonifacio to put the G-Braves up 1-0.
 
While G-Braves’ starter Tyrell Jenkins was blanking the Mud Hens, Gwinnett added to its lead in the top of the seventh as Blake Lalli reached second via a two-base throwing error on a routine ground ball to Toledo (7-9) second baseman Thomas Field. Bonifacio followed with a double to left and after Mud Hens starter Thad Weber intentionally walked Brignac, Tyler Moore singled to plate Bonifacio.
 
The only Mud Hens’ run came in the bottom of the eighth as Dixon Machado collected an RBI single off Gwinnett reliever Casey Kelly to score Field. But the G-Braves brought in Ian Krol out of the bullpen to put out the fire in the inning and hold Toledo to only one run.
 
Jenkins (W, 2-1) pitched 6.0 innings, allowing five hits while walking two and striking out three. In his first appearance after an MLB call-up, Kelly got just one out, allowing two hits and walking two in 0.1 innings before Krol retired all four batters he faced. David Peterson (S, 3) allowed one hit over the final 1.1 innings to lock down the save.
 
Weber (L, 2-1) suffered the loss for the Mud Hens, allowing seven hits and three runs (one earned) over 7.0 innings. He walked three and struck out five. Jose Valdez tossed the final 2.0 innings for Toledo, not allowing a hit or a walk.
 
Bonifacio led the G-Braves with a 2-for-4 night with two runs, a double and one RBI. Brignac was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
 
Wynton Bernard was 2-for-4 for Toledo.
 
The G-Braves and Mud Hens continue the three-game series Wednesday night at Fifth Third Field. Right-hander John Gant (1-0, 3.68 ERA) will start for Gwinnett while the Mud Hens will counter with lefty Josh Turley (1-1, 2.19 ERA).  First pitch set for 6:35 p.m. Tony Schiavone has the play-by-play call on 97.7 FM at 6:05 p.m.