LAWRENCEVILLE -- Gwinnett right-hander Williams Perez shut down the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders’ offense, and center fielder Eury Perez drove in a pair of runs to lead the G-Braves to a 3-2 win Tuesday at Coolray Field.
The pitching Perez gave up one run over 7.0 innings, and the hitting Perez drove in two runs in the fifth inning with his second hit of the night to give Gwinnett its winning margin.
The win clinched the G-Braves’(8-11) first home series victory over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in franchise history dating back to 2009. It’s also the first time Gwinnett has beaten the RailRiders (9-11) in consecutive games at Coolray Field in the same season.
Sean Kazmar started Gwinnett’s rally in the fifth with a leadoff single, and Matt Kennellyworked a walk from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre left-handed starter Eric Wooten (L, 0-3). Barrett Kleinknecht moved the runners to second and third with a sacrifice bunt, and Perez dropped a single into right field to score both baserunners.
On the mound, Perez cruised through his first three innings, but the middle of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre lineup began the fourth with three straight hits. Rob Refsnyder and Kyle Roller opened the frame with back-to-back doubles that gave the RailRiders a 1-0 lead. Jonathan Galvez followed with a single, but a 6-4-3 double play started by G-Braves’ shortstop Elmer Reyes ended the rally.
Reyes also delivered Gwinnett’s first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning with a single to left field that scored Jose Peraza, who led off with a single to right.
Ben Gamel drilled a solo home run down the right-field line with one out in the ninth inning off of right-hander Aaron Kurcz, but Kurcz (S, 5) retired the next two batters to complete his first four-out save of the season. Left-hander Donnie Veal (H, 5) added 0.2 scoreless innings, including two strikeouts and a walk.
Perez (W, 2-0) became the first G-Braves’ starting pitcher to reach two wins on the season, working 7.0 innings of one-run baseball for his second consecutive quality start. He scattered seven hits and did not walk anyone while striking out five. Perez retired 11 of the final 12 batters he faced.
The G-Braves capitalized on their five hits, going 2-for-6 with runners in scoring position. Perez finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs, his first multi-RBI effort of the season. Kazmar extended his hitting streak to seven games, going 1-for-3 with a run scored. Reyes added a 1-for-3 night, including an RBI.
For the RailRiders, Refsnyder went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored, and Galvez was 2-for-4 with a single and a double. Gamel added his first home run of the season, finishing 1-for-4.
Gwinnett and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre will finish their three-game series with a 6:35 p.m. contest Wednesday at Coolray Field. Right-hander Matt Wisler (0-2, 4.60 ERA), the Atlanta Braves’ No. 2 prospect according to MLB.com, will get the start for the G-Braves. The RailRiders will counter with righty Kyle Davies (1-1, 6.75). Tony Schiavone has the play-by-play call on 97.7 FM and WSBRadio.com beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Tomorrow is another “Winning Wednesday” featuring Baseball Bingo, when fans can follow the on-field action for a chance to win great prizes. Kids ages 12 and under will also receive a voucher for a free hot dog, bag of chips and soft drink. To purchase tickets, call the Coolray Field Ticket Office at 678-277-0340 or visit GwinnettBraves.com/tickets.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/4/306704/g-braves-hold-on-for-win-over-railriders