Homers from Sanchez, Fuentes Highlight Complete Offensive Showing for Stripers

Everyone in the Gwinnett lineup records a hit in 9-2 win over Charlotte

Joshua Fuentes blew the game open with a two-run home run the third inning, his third of the season. (Josh Conner)

By Jack Johnson (@jackjohnson25)

June 9, 2023

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers (28-33) raced out to an early 8-0 lead thanks to a complete effort from the offense – which saw five different players record RBIs and all nine in the order get hits – and cruised to a 9-2 victory over the Charlotte Knights (28-33)

Decisive Plays: With two out and two on in the first inning, Braden Shewmake smashed a base hit to give Gwinnett a 2-0 lead. Moments later, Yolmer Sanchez ripped a home run (2) into the Stripers’ bullpen to make it 4-0. Gwinnett added a run in the second and three more in the third, as Joe Hudson doubled in a run and Joshua Fuentes smoked a two-run home run (3) to put the Stripers ahead 8-0. Charlotte got two back in the sixth on hits from Adam Haseley and Laz Rivera, but never mounted a big enough charge to put the game in question as Gwinnett won its fourth straight, 9-2.

Key Contributors: Shewmake (1-for-4, 2 RBIs), Sanchez (1-for-3, homer, 2 RBIs), and Fuentes (1-for-4, homer, 2 RBIs) combined to drive in six of the nine runs. Joe Dunand (2-for-5) posted his second straight multi-hit outing and Vaughn Grissom (1-for-4, double) got his third double of the series. For Charlotte, Rivera (1-for-3, RBI) and Haseley (1-for-5, RBI) were responsible for the Knights’ runs.

Noteworthy: After taking the first four games vs. Charlotte, the Stripers have now secured their first series win at Coolray Field in their sixth home series of the season. Forrest Wall extended his on-base streak to nine games, and has eight stolen bases in that span, including his 36^th of the season tonight. In this series, Dunand is hitting .500 (8-for-16) with a double, two home runs, and five RBIs. He recorded his season-best third consecutive multi-hit outing tonight.

Next Game (Saturday, June 10): Gwinnett vs. Charlotte, 6:05 p.m. ET at Coolray Field. Broadcast: 5:50 p.m. on MyCountry99.3.com and Bally Live. RHP Michael Soroka (1-2,4.33 ERA) for the Stripers against RHP Sean Burke (1-3, 7.39 ERA) for the Knights. Atlanta Braves legend and two-time National League MVP Dale Murphy will be on hand to sign autographs during the game. Limited to one item per fan.