LAWRENCEVILLE — Anthony Recker went 3-for-3 with a pair of RBI hits, including an RBI single in a three-run seventh inning, helping the Gwinnett Braves defeat the Norfolk Tides 6-4 on Saturday night at Coolray Field.
Gwinnett (29-34) had the first four hitters of the seventh inning reach base against former G-Brave David Hale, with Recker’s second single of the night tying the score at 4-4. Ozzie Albies put the G-Braves back in front 5-4, collecting an RBI on a groundout scoring Reid Brignac from third. Emilio Bonifacio laced an RBI single off Ashur Tolliver to raise the lead to 6-4.
Dario Alvarez (H, 2) and Bradley Roney (S, 2) shut the door from there to send the G-Braves to their fourth straight win following a seven-game losing streak.
The G-Braves opened a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. Brignac and Recker started the frame with consecutive doubles against Hale (L, 0-4), kickstarting the rally. After Albies beat out an infield single, Bonifacio reached on a fielder’s choice to score Recker and put runners at first and second. Matt Tuiasosopo provided the final run of the inning on an RBI groundout.
G-Braves’ starter Lucas Harrell pitched into and out of trouble over the first three innings before surrendering three runs in the fourth. With two outs in the fourth, Xavier Avery and L.J. Hoes lined back-to-back singles and Mike Yastrzemski blasted a two-run home run, tying the game at 3-3.
Harrell yielded six hits and walked five over 4.0 innings, while throwing 41 of his 84 pitches for strikes in a no-decision.
Kanekoa Texeira allowed a run in the fifth as Norfolk took a 4-3 lead, but Tyrell Jenkins (W, 6-3) held the Tides down over 2.0 innings to get the victory. Jenkins allowed two hits and a walk while striking out one in the fourth relief outing of his career.
Bonifacio was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and also swiped his International League-leading 21st base of the season. Brignac scored twice, going 1-for-3 with a double. Roney now has saves in back-to-back outings, his first two at the Triple-A level.
Yastrzemski finished a triple shy of the cycle for Norfolk, which went 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left 13 men on base. Hale allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits in 6.2 innings to remain winless on the season.
The G-Braves and Tides (21-42) conclude the three-game series on Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. Left-hander Manny Banuelos (0-1, 6.23) will start for the G-Braves against fellow southpaw Ariel Miranda (1-6, 5.20) for Norfolk. Tony Schiavone will have the play-by-play call on 97.7 FM at 1:35 p.m.
It’s another “Sunday Funday” at Coolray Field, presented by Georgia United Credit Union. Fans are welcome to play catch on the field before the game from 1:10-1:25 and fans 12-and-under can run the bases following the game. Tickets for Sunday’s game are on sale now at the Coolray Field Ticket Office, call 678-277-0340 or visit GwinnettBraves.com/tickets to purchase.
