STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com
ROCHESTER — The Gwinnett Braves edged the Rochester Red Wings 3-2 Wednesday afternoon at Frontier Field. The teams meet again Thursday morning in an 11:05 a.m. matinee.
Red Wings lefty David Hurlbut got the start for the Wings, but he gave up a leadoff single to Ozzie Albies who eventually scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Mel Rojas, Jr. to give the Braves an early 1-0 lead.
Gwinnett scored twice in the top of the third. Rojas, Jr. drove in Albies again, this time off an infield single to put the Braves up 3-0.
The Red Wings scored their first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth on a beautifully executed hit-and-run. John Ryan Murphy hit a double down the left field line that allowed Niko Goodrum to score from first base to cut the lead to 3-1.
Braves starting pitcher Luke Jackson went four innings, giving up three hits, one earned run, three walks and three strikeouts. The Wings had runners in scoring position against Jackson in the first and third innings, but couldn’t manage to cash in.
Hurlbut had set down eight straight batters before allowing a single to start the seventh inning. That marked his exit from the game, with Drew Rucinski coming out of the bullpen. Hurlbut worked 6.1 innings, allowing seven hits, three runs (two earned), and a walk while striking out three. He threw 92 pitches, 60 for strikes.
Jason Hursh took over on the mound for the Braves in the bottom of the seventh, and Murphy greeted him with a double to left-center. Murphy moved to third base on a long flyball by Quintin Berry. Ehire Adrianza’s single drove in Murphy, and the Wings pulled to within a run at 3-2.
Rucinski retired all four batters he faced, striking out two and picking a runner off first base. Alex Wimmers worked the ninth for the Red Wings, setting down the side in order.
The Wings were just 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position in the game. The G-Braves out-hit the Wings 7-6.
