The Gwinnett Braves pitching staff combined for 12 strikeouts while allowing only three walks Thursday night in a 6-1 victory over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs at Coca-Cola Park.

Gwinnett (53-58) is now 15 1/2 games behind Durham in the International League South and remain seven games behind Louisville in the wild card hunt.

Freddie Freeman hit his 15th home run of the season in the top of the third inning, blasting a two-run shot that put the G-Braves up 3-0. Freeman went 3-for-4 on the night with three RBIs.

Mike Minor only threw 1 2/3 innings for the G-Braves in the game and is expected to make his first MLB start Monday for Atlanta against the Houston Astros. Joe Oretegano (3-8) earned his first win since dropping eight of his last nine starts.