ALLENTOWN, PA. – The Gwinnett Stripers (36-29) defeated the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (32-31) by a 5-4 score in 11 innings Thursday night in the final of the three-game series at Cola-Cola Park. An RBI double in the top of the 11th by Jack Lopez was the game winner.
Scoring Recap: The IronPigs took a 1-0 lead by scoring an unearned run on a wild pitch by Gwinnett starting pitcher Patrick Weigel. Gwinnett tied the game at one in the top of the sixth on an RBI single by Rafael Ortega. Ortega then delivered a two-RBI double in the top of the eighth for a 3-1 Stripers lead. However, Ali Castillo drilled two-RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extra innings. In the top of the 10th Sean Kazmar Jr. drew a bases loaded walk to give Gwinnett a 5-4 lead, but Lehigh Valley tied the game in the bottom of the 10th on a RBI single to left by Jan Hernandez. The winning run was scored in the top of the 11th on an RBI double to center by Lopez.
Stripers Stats: Weigel went 4.0 innings with one unearned run and four strikeouts. Connor Johnstone (W, 1-0) picked up the win with 2.0 innings, one unearned run and two strikeouts. Ortega was 2-for-5 at the plate with a double and three RBIs. Kazmar Jr. went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
IronPigs Stats: Ramon Rosso started for Lehigh Valley and worked 6.0 innings with one unearned run and nine strikeouts. Kyle Dohy (L, 1-3) took the loss out of the bullpen, he pitched 1.0 inning with one unearned run and one strikeout. Offensively, former Gwinnett catcher Rob Brantley led the IronPigs with a 2-for-4 night. Castillo was 2-for-5 with two RBIs.
Postgame Notes: Andres Blanco was 1-for-5 and has now hit safely in nine of 11 games in June. Ortega extended his hitting streak to nine games. The Stripers struck out a season high 18 times.
Next Game (Friday, June 14): Gwinnett at Syracuse, 7:05 p.m. at NBT Bank Stadium. RHP Kyle Wright (3-4, 7.22 ERA) will pitch for the Stripers vs. TBD for the Mets. 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.