LAWRENCEVILLE — Right-hander Williams Perez pitched a complete-game shutout, allowing just a hit and a walk while striking out seven to lead the Gwinnett Braves to a 4-0 win over the Charlotte Knights on Friday night at Coolray Field.
Perez (W, 1-2) set a new single-game career high for innings pitched in a 112-pitch, 76-strike outing. He is the first G-Brave to throw a 9.0-inning complete-game shutout since left-hander Manny Banuelos fired a two-hitter in a 2-0 win on June 22, 2015 vs. Indianapolis.
Only two Knights reached base in the contest. Alex Avila, playing on a Major League rehab assignment for the Chicago White Sox, drew a leadoff walk in the second inning, and Leury Garcia beat out an infield single to second baseman Gordon Beckham with two outs in the fifth.
Otherwise, Perez was untouchable as he earned his first win with Gwinnett this season. He had been 0-2 with a 6.10 ERA over his first two starts after being optioned to Triple-A by the Atlanta Braves on April 20.
Gwinnett (15-14) opened a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning against Knights’ starter Terance Marin. Rio Ruiz drew a one-out walk and scored two batters later as Blake Lalli beat the shift with a single through the left side. After Ronnier Mustelier singled to put runners at the corners, Ozzie Albies bounced a single up the middle scoring Lalli. With Ender Inciarte at the plate, Albies and Mustelier executed a double steal, with Mustelier swiping home for a 3-0 advantage.
The G-Braves added an insurance run against right-hander Tyler Barnette in the eighth. Ryan Lavarnway singled to right, Ruiz reached on an infield single and Sean Kazmar Jr. followed with an RBI single to left-center to make it 4-0.
Inciarte, playing his second game on a Major League rehab assignment for the Braves, finished 2-for-3 with a walk. Beckham, playing the first game of his Major League rehab assignment, went 0-for-4. Albies (2-for-3, RBI), Lalli (2-for-4, run, RBI) and Lavarnway (2-for-4, double, run) all had multi-hit games for the G-Braves.
Marin (L, 1-3) took the loss for Charlotte, yielding three runs on six hits over 5.0 innings. Blake Smith worked 2.0 scoreless innings and Barnette gave up a run over 1.0 inning.
Garcia had Charlotte’s only hit, going 1-for-3.
The G-Braves and Knights (12-16) play game two of the three-game series on Saturday night at Coolray Field, first pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Tyrell Jenkins (2-1, 1.67 ERA) starts for Gwinnett, while Charlotte will counter with right-hander Chris Beck (1-2, 6.49 ERA). Tony Schiavone and Nick Green have the call on 97.7 FM beginning at 6:35 p.m.
Saturday’s game, presented by RaceTrac, is “Star Wars Night” at Coolray Field. More than 30 Star Wars characters will be on hand to take pictures with fans, perform features such as light saber battles and more. There will also be a silent auction on the concourse with Star Wars-themed memorabilia, as well as sports memorabilia. Tickets are on sale now at the Coolray Field Ticket Office, call 678-277-0340 or visit GwinnettBraves.com/tickets to purchase.
Friday
January 24th, 2025
6:19PM
