The Gwinnett Braves defeated the Lehigh Valley IronPigs 3-2 on Sunday to move to a .500 record or better for the first time since April 14 when the team was 4-4.
The IronPigs took a 2-0 lead in the top half of the first inning before Gwinnett answered back with three runs in the top of the fourth. J.C. Holt started the rally with a lead-off double. Brandon Jones followed with an RBI single to center to get the Braves on the scoreboard.
Barbaro Canizares reached with a walk and Brooks Conrad singled to center to load the bases. With no outs, Van Pope grounded into a double play that plated Jones to tie the game at two. After Alvin Colina was hit by a pitch, Brian Barton singled home Canizares to take a 3-2 lead.
Gwinnett starter Tony Armas, who made just his second start for Gwinnett, was pulled after 77 pitches in 3Ã innings. Armas allowed two runs on four hits and two walks is still without a decision this season.
Armas has a 2.08 ERA in 8Ã innings with Gwinnett. The Gwinnett bullpen preserved the win with a solid effort from Vladimir Nunez, Boone Logan, Manny Acosta and Luis Valdez. Nunez was credited with the win, his first of the season and is now 1-1 with a 2.79 ERA.
Luis Valdez retired all six batters he faced in the eighth and ninth innings to earn his eighth save of the season.
Brandon Jones was 2-for-4 to lead the Braves’ offense and is now batting .326 in 26 games with Gwinnett. Jones and Brian Barton each picked up RBI in the win. Barton was 1-for-2 with two walks in the game.
Lehigh Valley was led by Pablo Ozuna, who was 2-for-4 with a walk and scored twice in the loss. Tracy drove in Ozuna both times and was 1-for-3 in the game.
Gwinnett returns to action on Monday in game three of the four-game series at Lehigh Valley. G-Braves’ RHP Charlie Morton (4-2, 3.07 ERA) will make his eighth start of the year and will face the IronPigs’ RHP Drew Carpenter (0-0, 0.00 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Gwinnett returns home on Thursday to take on the Toledo Mud Hens (Detroit Tigers) after a day off on Wednesday.