The Gwinnett Braves (44-57) continued an ideal start to their post All-Star Break schedule on Saturday night, taking their third-straight game over the Indianapolis Indians (61-41) with a 2-0 win at Coolray Field. Ernesto Mejia blasted his team record 26th home run of the season, and five G-Braves' pitchers combined on a seven-hit shutout.
Right-hander David Hale (W, 4-5) was sharp, tossing 5.0 scoreless innings, scattering three hits, walking three and striking out a pair. The Marietta, GA native is 3-2 with a 1.12 ERA (5 ER in 40.1 IP) in his last seven starts, and has fully recovered from an early-season shoulder injury.
"I'm throwing my sinker with more conviction," said Hale about his last seven outings. "It's good to be back after that injury. I'm getting back in the groove of things."
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the G-Braves' offense found its groove. Brandon Boggs singled to start the inning and Mejia blasted a 0-1 offering from Brandon Cumpton over the left field fence, giving Gwinnett a 2-0 lead. Mejia's International League lead-tying 26th homer of the year set a new a single-season record for a G-Braves player, passing teammate Stefan Gartrell, who hit 25 as a member of the club in 2011.
"Honestly, I didn't know," said Mejia about breaking the homer run mark. "Obviously, I'm very excited. I never expected it. I think it shows by the work that is put in on a daily basis."
With a two-run lead in hand, the G-Braves' bullpen went to work. Juan Cedeno, Mark Lamm, Wirfin Obispo, and Cory Rasmus combined to work four scoreless frames to finish off the Indians. Cedeno went 1.1 innings, collecting his team-leading 12th hold, while Lamm and Obispo recorded their second and sixth holds, respectively. Rasmus (S, 12) came on in the ninth with the tying run at the plate and set down Alex Presley on strikes, securing Gwinnett's eighth shutout win.
Cumpton (L, 4-6) hurled 5.0 solid innings of relief, but took the loss as the fourth-inning home run cost him the game. He allowed three hits, walked one and struck out five.
Boggs and Mejia paced the G-Braves' offense, as they each picked up two hits on the night. Boggs went 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Mejia raised his team-leading RBI total to 69 with a 2-for-3 performance.
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Other roster moves of the weekend. Juan Jaime gets off the Mississippi DL and Chasen Shreve sent back down to Lynchburg; ... Pitcher Tyler Brosius moved to Danville from GCL Braves. ... Blake Brown, outfielder, from Rome to Danville.
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Seccond baseman Gerald Chin and international piutcher of mystery Felix Falcon have been named DSL all-stars. Falcon is tied for the league lead wih six wins.
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SUNDAY'S SCORES
CLASS AAA
Indianapolis 2, Gwinnett (44-58) 1 (8)
LP: Poveda (5-6) 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 7 K
Carrithers 2-4, RBI; Leonard 2-3, R; Gosselin 1-4..
CLASS AA
Mississippi (13-15) @ Jackson, ppd.
ADVANCED CLASS A
Lynchburg (9-17) 3, Myrtle Beach 1
WP: W. Perez (2-0) 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K.
C. Perez (Save, 1) 3 IP 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K.
McGill 2-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI, SB; E. Reyes 1-3, RBI; Hyams 1-3, 2B; Moses 2-4, R; Elander 1-2.
CLASS A
Rome (11-18) 3, Lakewood 2 Meneses walk-off RBI 1B
SP: Cabrera 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K.
WP: Simmons (1-1) 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.
Wren 1-4, R, SB; Peraza 1-4, SB (41); Franco 1-3, 2B; Meneses 1-4, RBI; E. Garcia 1-3,. 2 RBI.
SHORT-SEASON
Danville (15-13) 5, Elizabethton 4
SP: Ubiera 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K.
WP: Brosius (1-0) 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 K.
Reynolds 2-4, 2B, R, SB; Sanchez 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI; Piloto 1-4, R, RBI; Camargo 1-5, SB; Caratini 1-3, 2 R, HR (1st), RBI.
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