Gwinnett Sweeps Charlotte

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA (August 25, 2010) - The Gwinnett Braves beat the Charlotte Knights 9-6 on Wednesday night, completing the three game sweep to kick off their final homestand of the season at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville, GA. Gwinnett took advantage of a big offensive inning for the second night in a row to wrap up the sweep. The G-Braves (65-66) pull within 18.0 games behind International League South leaders Durham (clinched division already) in second place, and 2.5 games in front of third place Charlotte (63-69). Gwinnett also moved 8.0 games back of Wild Card leaders Columbus (at press time).

The managers exchanged lineup cards. As soon as the first inning got going, the G-Braves were looking good. They turned the first triple play in team history (thanks to an outstanding heads-up effort by first baseman Freddie Freeman) in the top half of the inning, and shortstop Joe Thurston homered after 4 consecutive G-Braves reached in front of him to break the game open in the bottom frame at 5-0.

Starting LHP Scott Diamond (3-0) went 5.1 IP and allowed 5 R/4 ER on 9 hits and 3 walks to notch the win. Closer Craig Kimbrel worked a scoreless ninth inning for his 22nd save of the season.

Thurston went 1-for-3 with 3 RBI (64), pushing across an RBI for the 6th consecutive game a season high for any G-Brave. Third baseman Troy Glaus, who began his ML rehab for Atlanta on Monday, was 3-for-4 with a two run home run and finished with 4 RBI — he now has 2 HR and 7 RBI in three games for Gwinnett. Freeman finished 2-for-3 with an RBI (83) and a stolen base (6), while IL batting leader and DH Barbaro Canizares was 2-for-3 with an RBI (67).

Charlotte RHP Kyle McCulloch (1-4) was a late addition as tonight’s starting pitcher, and went 5.0 IP while allowing 7 R/6 ER and 2 home runs.

Shortsop Brent Morel went 3-for-5 with a triple and an RBI — one of 6 Knights to collect an RBI.

Gwinnett continues its final homestand of the season, beginning a short two game series against division-winners Durham at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday night. The G-Braves will send LHP Jose Ortegano (3-9, 6.33 ERA) to the mound against RHP Brian Baker (8-4, 3.34 ERA) for the Bulls. The game will be broadcast on the radio at WDUN-550 AM and on TV at CSS.

Tomorrow is $3 Thursday at Coolray Field. Fans can buy featured sandwiches, snacks, soft drinks and beer from the $3 Thursday cart behind Section 116 this Thursday and every Thursday for the rest of the season.