The Gwinnett Braves, behind the pitching of right-handers Tommy Hanson and Kris Medlen, defeated the Charlotte Knight 9-1 on Thursday at Knights Stadium in Fort Mill, SC. The Opening Day win marked the first in Gwinnett history.

Hanson, making his first Triple-A start, worked 4À scoreless innings, allowing only three hits while striking out 10.

Medlen, who was credited with the win, retired all 11 batters he faced in 3Ã scoreless frames.

Braves’ first baseman Barbaro Canizares was 3-for-5 with a two-run home run off RHP John Van Benschoten in the third. Second baseman Brooks Conrad added a two-run shot in the sixth and an RBI single in the ninth. Canizares paced the G-Braves with seven RBI as Conrad followed with five.

For Charlotte, Van Benschoten picked up the loss. He struck out six in five innings of work.

He allowed three earned runs and two hits.

Gwinnett (1-0) and Charlotte (0-1) continue the four-game series tomorrow at 7:15 p.m.

Braves left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes (0-0 0.00) is scheduled to make his first start of 2009. Left-hander Wes Whisler (0-0 0.00) will start for the Knights.