COLUMBUS, Ohio — Bradley Zimmer's seventh-inning grand slam snapped a 2-2 tie and led the Columbus Clippers to a 6-4 win over the Gwinnett Braves on Thursday night at Huntington Park. The best-of-five Governors' Cup Semifinal series is now tied 1-1 and the teams head to Lawrenceville, GA for Games 3-5.
Atlanta Braves' right-hander Aaron Blair made a rehab start for the G-Braves and was sharp, holding the potent Columbus offense to two runs on five hits over 6.0 innings. A Michael Choice sacrifice fly in the first inning and a Yan Gomes solo home run in the third marked the only damage against Blair, who walked four and struck out six.
Gwinnett rallied from a 2-0 deficit to tie the game in the fourth. Sean Kazmar Jr. ripped a leadoff double off Clippers' left-hander Ryan Merritt and scored two batters later on Tyler Moore's single into the left-field corner. Moore was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double, but the G-Braves weren't done in the inning. Matt Tuiasosopo drew a two-out walk, and two batters later Daniel Castro laced a game-tying RBI single to right-center.
The game stayed knotted at 2-2 until the seventh, when right-hander Rob Wooten (L, 0-1) replaced Blair for the G-Braves. Wooten loaded the bases on two walks and a single, and with two outs, served up Zimmer's grand slam just over the high wall in right field.
The G-Braves kept it close late, scoring single runs in the eighth and ninth innings.
In the eighth, a bases-loaded infield single by Emilio Bonifacio scored pinch-runner Matt Lipka to make it a 6-3 game. Gwinnett threatened for more, but Josh Martin retired Reid Brignac and Ronnier Mustelier to end the inning.
Kazmar Jr. lofted a solo home run to left leading off the ninth against Martin, cutting the deficit to 6-4. That proved the end of the comeback, however, as Martin (S, 1) set down the next three batters in order to end the game.
Bonifacio finished 3-for-5 with an RBI, while Blake Lalli went 3-for-4 with three singles for the G-Braves. Kazmar Jr. went 2-for-5 with a double, home run, two runs scored and an RBI. Jason Hursh added a scoreless inning of relief.
Zimmer went 1-for-3 with the grand slam and four RBIs, and Yandy Diaz was 2-for-4 with two runs scored for the Clippers. Merritt yielded two runs on eight hits over 3.2 innings in a no-decision. Jeff Johnson (W, 1-0) gave up a run over 1.0 inning and Martin allowed a run over the final 1.2 innings.
The best-of-five semifinal series shifts to Coolray Field as the G-Braves host the Clippers for Game 3 on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Chris Ellis (4-7, 6.52) is slated to start for Gwinnett, while Columbus will counter with lefty Shawn Morimando (5-2, 3.51). Tony Schiavone has the play-by-play call on 97.7 FM beginning at 6:35 p.m.
The Gwinnett Braves are offering a special ticket deal for the Governors' Cup Playoffs. Fans who purchase a $15 Infield Box ticket to any playoff game will also receive a FREE $10 food voucher! Plus, all fans will receive a FREE Foam Tomahawk to help cheer the G-Braves on to victory!
Tickets for Game 3, as well as Game 4 on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday's Game 5 (if necessary) at 2:05 p.m. are on sale now at the Coolray Field Ticket Office. Call 678-277-0340 or visit GwinnettBraves.com/tickets to purchase.
