G-Braves score early, often in rout of Knights

LAWRENCEVILLE -- After posting a 10-5 win over the Charlotte Knights (58-75) on Tuesday night, the Gwinnett Braves (58-73) continued their winning ways by dropping the Knights 16-2 on Wednesday night at Coolray Field. Donnie Murphy went 2-for-6 with a grand slam and five RBIs to lead the offense.<br /> <br /> The G-Braves scored a season-high 16 runs thanks to a five-run first inning and nine-run eighth inning. The eighth, highlighted by the slam from Murphy, was Gwinnett's largest scoring inning since a 10-run sixth on April 17, 2011 at Durham.<br /> <br /> Gwinnett raced to an early lead in the top of the first inning as they sent 11 batters to the plate and chased Charlotte starter Chris Beck after two thirds of an inning. Jose Constanza started the frame with a double and scored on an RBI double by Murphy. Joey Terdoslavich followed with an RBI single to make it 2-0. An RBI groundout by Ozzie Martinez and bases-loaded walks to Edward Salcedo and Constanza extended the lead to 5-0.<br /> <br /> Charlotte cut into the lead in the top of the second, as Matt Tuiasosopo connected for his 13th home run of the season to make it 5-1.<br /> <br /> Salcedo and Terdoslavich answered with solo home runs of their own. Salcedo belted his ninth homer of the year in the third to make it 6-1, and Terdoslavich crushed his team-leading 13th round-tripper to push the lead to 7-1. Terdoslavich has homered in four straight games, tying a G-Braves' record set by Ernesto Mejia from April 9-13, 2013.<br /> <br /> Carlos Sanchez brought the Knights to within five runs as he connected on a solo homer off left-hander Chasen Shreve in the eighth inning.<br /> <br /> The G-Braves put the game out of reach in the eighth inning, scoring nine runs on six hits to increase the lead to 16-2. An RBI double by Sean Kazmar and two-run single by Brandon Boggs preceded Murphy's grand slam off reliever Jarrett Casey.<br /> <br /> The offensive outburst backed a strong performance by G-Braves' starter Terry Doyle (W, 3-3). The right-hander tossed 6.0 innings, allowing one run on five hits with six strikeouts. Relievers Gus Schlosser, Shreve and Juan Jaime combined on 3.0 innings of one-run baseball to finish the game.<br /> <br /> Beck (L, 1-3) took the loss for Charlotte, allowing five runs on four hits in 0.2 innings. The Commerce, GA native tossed 53 pitches, 29 for strikes.<br /> <br /> In addition to Murphy's huge night, Terdoslavich went 3-for-5 with a homer and two RBIs, Salcedo went 2-for-3 with a homer and two RBIs and Boggs went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.<br /> <br /> Sanchez and Tuiasosopo each had a homer and RBI, while Marcus Semien picked up a team-high two hits for the Knights.<br /> <br /> The Gwinnett Braves and the Charlotte Knights conclude the two-game series tomorrow night at Coolray Field, first pitch scheduled for 6:35 PM. Right-hander Zach Stewart (5-4, 4.76) is slated to start for the G-Braves, while the Knights will counter with right-hander Andre Rienzo (1-2, 3.03). Tony Schiavone has the play-by-play call at 6:20 PM on WDUN.com, GwinnettBraves.com, Tune-In Radio and the MiLB First Pitch app.<br /> <br /> Thursday is another "$3 Thursday" at Coolray Field, featuring $3 food and beverage specials all game long. All Country Financial Lawn Seats are also just $3. Tickets are on sale now at the Coolray Field Ticket Office, call 678-277-0340 or visit GwinnettBraves.com to purchase.

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