The G-Braves battled back from an early deficit with a homer from Stefan Gartrell but couldn't overcome a leaky bullpen.
The loss means the G-Braves (67-56) remained in second place in the International League South at 2.5 games behind Durham. Gwinnett is also second in the Wild Card race by a 1.5 game margin behind Lehigh Valley. (All as of publication time.)
The eighth inning proved critical on Monday, as G-Braves newly optioned reliever Anthony Varvaro followed his scoreless seventh with a sloppy eighth. Locked in a 3-3 tie, Varvaro retired the first two batters of the inning but walked the next two hitters and followed that by allowing a single and a double to set Gwinnett back 6-3.
G-Braves starter Erik Cordier went 6 innings, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits with 3 walks and 7 strikeouts but also gave up a two-run home run in the no-decision. Varvaro (2-7), in his first appearance since being sent back down after a successful stint with Atlanta, went 1 2/3 innings and allowed 3 runs on 3 hits with 3 walks and 2 strikeouts in the loss.
Gartrell, the 2011 Triple-A All-Star Home Run Derby champ, played as a designated hitter and finished 1-for-4 with 2 RBIs and his 25th homer of the season (second in the IL). First baseman Mauro Gomez was 3-for-4, while Matt Young finished 0-for-3 with an RBI. Center fielder Jeff Fiorentino was 2-for-4 with a stolen base.
The G-Braves hit the road for a six-game trip to Syracuse, N.Y., for four games and then back down to the Carolinas for a pair of contests. The trip begins against the Chiefs on Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. Gwinnett will send out a starter to be announced against Chiefs RHP Brad Meyers (4-4, 3.79). The game can be heard on the voice of the Gwinnett Braves, WDUN 550 AM and 102.9 FM. Fans can also follow at www.twitter.com/GwinnettBraves, gametracker on www.gwinnettbraves.com or MiLB TV at www.MiLB.com.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2011/8/241129