LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers (78-56) tallied just two hits in an 8-1 loss to the Norfolk Tides (57-78) on Thursday night at Coolray Field. Gwinnett’s magic number to clinch the International League South Division title remains one over Charlotte, who was idle on Thursday.
Scoring Recap: Dwight Smith Jr. gave the Tides a 1-0 lead in the third inning with a RBI single. Later in the inning, Mark Trumbo ripped a two-run double to give Norfolk a 3-0 lead. In the fourth, the Tides took a 4-0 lead on a run scoring single by Engelb Vielma. Gwinnett cut the deficit to 4-1 in the fifth as Cristian Pache (1) hit a 396-foot solo homer to left off Keegan Akin. Norfolk extended their lead to 8-1 in the eighth on a 411-foot grand slam to center by Rylan Bannon (3) off Chad Sobotka.
Stripers Stats: Tucker Davidson (L, 1-1) worked 3.1 innings and surrendered four runs (three earned) on four hits. Patrick Weigel pitched 2.2 scoreless innings and struck out three. Sean Kazmar Jr. pitched his third scoreless inning of the season. Pache went 1-for-4 with a homer and one RBI.
Tides Stats: Akin (W, 6-7) tossed 6.0 innings of one run ball and struck out seven. Hunter Cervenka (H, 3) and Tanner Scott combined for 3.0 scoreless innings of relief. Offensively, Smith Jr. went 2-for-5 with a RBI. Bannon went 1-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs.
Postgame Notes: Pache is the 21st different player to homer for the Stripers this season. Ryan LaMarre walked to extend his on-base streak to 33 games.
Next Game (Friday, August 30): Gwinnett at Durham, 7:05 p.m. at Durham Bulls Athletic Parck. RHP Ian Anderson (1-2, 5.48 ERA) for the Stripers vs. TBD for the Bulls. Radio Broadcast: 6:50 p.m. on 97.7 and 93.5 FM “The Other Side of the River.”
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The Gwinnett Stripers are the Triple-A International League affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, playing their 11th season at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville, Ga. For tickets, team merchandise or more information, visit GoStripers.com. Follow the Stripers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at GoStripers.