LOUISVILLE - The Gwinnett Braves used a pair of 10th-inning triples to earn a 6-3 win over the Louisville Bats Sunday night at Louisville Slugger Field. The G-Braves improve to 39-32 while the Bats fall to 37-32.
Gwinnett outfielder Brian Barton started off a three-run 10th inning for the G-Braves with a one-out triple. Wes Timmons singled to score Barton and break the 3-3 tie. Reid Gorecki followed that with the inning’s second triple to score Timmons before Antonio Perez finally gave the G-Braves a 6-3 advantage on a sacrifice fly.
Gorecki and Barton were each 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Barbaro Canizares (2-4), Brandon Jones (2-4) and Wes Timmons (2-4) each recorded multiple hits and one run apiece. Jones and Timmons also registered an RBI on the night. Van Pope was 2-for-4 with an RBI to break his six-game slump.
In his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Gwinnett, Atlanta Braves infielder Greg Norton flew out while pinch-hitting for pitcher Juan Perez in the eighth.
The G-Braves led 3-2 heading into the bottom of the eight, but Kevin Barker’s two-out homer off Luis Valdez tied the game at three. Valdez was charged with a blown save, but he picked up the win thanks to Barton and Timmons’ late-game heroics. Left-hander Boone Logan earned his second save of the season for retiring three straight in the bottom of the 10th.
Picking up the loss for Louisville was Roberto Manuel, who allowed three earned runs on three hits in the 10th.
Gwinnett starter John Halama went five innings deep, allowing two earned runs on three hits. Perez pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Halama.
Louisville hosts the G-Braves in the four-game series finale Monday at 7:05 p.m. Gwinnett right-hander Tony Armas (1-0, 3.89 ERA) will face Bats righty Homer Bailey (7-5, 2.83 ERA).
