G-Braves contingent goes hitless at Triple-A All-Star game

SALT LAKE CITY -- Anybody looking for evidence of the old adage "Good pitching beats good hitting," look no further.

The International League scored three unearned runs and shut out the Pacific Coast League on three hits Wednesday to claim a 3-0 victory in the 24th Triple-A All-Star Game presented by Zions Bank.

Durham's Russ Canzler (Rays) was named IL Top Star after providing the game's only scoring with a three-run homer to left-center field in the second inning off PCL starter and losing pitcher Brad Mills (Blue Jays) of Las Vegas. All three runs were unearned, however, as the inning began with a costly error at third by Salt Lake's Jeff Baisley (Angels) on a ground ball off the bat of Charlotte's Dayan Viciedo (White Sox).

How tough was it to hit the IL pitching? First baseman David Cooper of the 51s was named PCL Top Star after managing a single and a walk. This, in a ballpark where two nights earlier, high school junior Kayden Porter hit a ball 545 feet in the Home Run Derby.

"I expected to see a lot more offense than there was tonight," said IL skipper Mike Sarbaugh of Columbus. "But it was a well-played game. Our pitching staff did a great job starting with Zach [McAllister]."

Gwinnett's contingent at the game included Mauro Gomez and Stefan Gartrell, who each drew walks in plate appearances, though no G-Braves batter produced a hit. Combined, Gomez, Gartrell and Jose Constanza finished 0-for-5 with two walks.

Gwinnett returns to action with an eight game home stand beginning Thursday at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville. The G-Braves -- who begin the second half of the season with a 50-41 mark and a half-game out of first place in the International League South behind the Durham Bulls -- will take on the Norfolk Tides at 7:05 p.m. Thursday in a game that will be broadcast live on WDUN AM 550.