LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Columbus Clippers (69-52) swept the Gwinnett Stripers (70-51) in a doubleheader by scores of 5-2 and 5-3 on Thursday night at Coolray Field. Following the losses, Gwinnett leads Durham by 2.5 games and Charlotte by 3.0 games for first place in the International League South Division.
Game 1 Scoring Recap: The Stripers took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a 431-foot homer to center from Pedro Florimon (11) off Shao-Ching Chiang. In the sixth, Ka’ai Tom and Max Moroff each hit RBI singles to make it 2-1 Columbus. Later in the inning, Jake Bauers hit a two-run double to extend the lead to 4-1. Daniel Johnson (7) gave Columbus a 5-1 lead in the top of the seventh with a solo homer off Corbin Clouse. Gwinnett cut it to 5-2 in the bottom of the seventh as Alex Jackson (25) crushed a 428-foot homer to right off Chiang.
Game 2 Scoring Recap: Columbus took a 1-0 lead in the fourth on a solo homer by Tom (4) off Huascar Ynoa. The Clippers extended their lead to 3-0 in the top of the fifth on a two-run homer by Jake Bauers (2) off Ynoa. In the bottom of the fifth, John Ryan Murphy and Drew Waters both hit RBI singles to cut the deficit to 3-2. Columbus added an insurance run in the top of the seventh as Mark Mathias scored on a fielder’s choice to make it 4-2. Later in the inning, Bauers drove in a run with a single to extend the lead to 5-2. The Stripers loaded the bases in the seventh but got only a bases-loaded walk from Florimon to make it 5-3.
Stripers Stats: In game one, Touki Toussaint pitched 5.0 scoreless innings and struck out five in a no decision. Jacob Webb (L, 0-1) worked 1.0 inning and yielded four runs on four hits. Florimon and Jackson both went 1-for-3 with a homer. Ynoa (L, 2-5) struck out six in 5.0 innings and gave up three runs on five hits in game two. Wes Parsons pitched 2.0 innings and yielded two runs on four hits. At the plate, Murphy went 2-for-3 with an RBI and Sean Kazmar Jr. went 1-for-2 with a triple.
Clippers Stats: Chiang (W, 7-8) pitched a 7.0-inning complete game and gave up two runs on six hits in game one. Johnson went 2-for-4 with a homer and Bauers went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. In game two, Hector Hernandez (W, 1-1) pitched 1.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. James Hoyt (S, 3) struck out the final two batters of the game to leave the bases loaded. Bauers went 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs to lead the Columbus offense. Tom went 1-for-2 and added a homer.
Postgame Notes: Ryan LaMarre extended his on-base streak to 24 games. Kazmar Jr. hit his 12th career triple with Gwinnett, moving him into sole possession of second place in Gwinnett history. The Stripers have lost back-to-back games for the first time since July 15-16 vs. Lehigh Valley (lost 12-6 and 4-2).
Next Game (Friday, August 16): Gwinnett vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, 7:05 p.m. at Coolray Field. RHP Bryse Wilson (8-7, 3.58 ERA) for the Stripers vs. TBD for the RailRiders. 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.