Motter Drives in All Five as Stripers Split Doubleheader in Buffalo

Taylor Motter combines for two homers, five RBIs as Gwinnett loses 3-1, wins 4-3

Taylor Motter has four homers and seven RBIs through the first four games of the series in Buffalo. (Paul Daniel)

By Dave Lezotte

September 9, 2022

BUFFALO, N.Y. – One day after his two-homer effort on Thursday, Taylor Motter kept his bat red hot on Friday night, going a combined 3-for-4 with two home runs and five RBIs as the Gwinnett Stripers (62-70) split a doubleheader with the Buffalo Bisons (69-63) at Sahlen Field. Buffalo won

Decisive Plays (Game 1): After falling behind 1-0 on an RBI single by Nathan Lukes, the Stripers tied it up at 1-1 in the top of the fourth on a solo home run by Motter (17). The tie didn't last long, however, as L.J. Talley put the Bisons back ahead 3-1 with a two-run homer off Kyle Muller (L, 6-7) in the bottom of the fourth.

Decisive Plays (Game 2): Motter's three-run clout (18) gave the Stripers a 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth, but Buffalo responded with three runs off Mike Soroka to tie the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the fourth. In the sixth, Delino DeShields Jr. walked and scored on Motter's go-ahead single to left for a 4-3 lead.

Key Contributors: Motter had three of Gwinnett's five hits on the night, with the only other hits singles by Joe Dunand and Hernan Perez. Following 4.0 three-run innings from Soroka in game two, relievers Silvino Bracho (W, 2-3), Jay Jackson (H, 5), and Michael Tonkin (S, 12) combined on 3.0 scoreless, one-hit frames.

Noteworthy: In four games at Buffalo, Motter is batting .667 (8-for-12) with two doubles, four homers, four runs, seven RBIs, and a 2.547 OPS. He has driven in Gwinnett's last seven runs since Thursday. Rehabbing Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies went 0-for-3 in game one.

Next Game (Saturday, September 10): Gwinnett at Buffalo, 6:05 p.m. at Sahlen Field. RHP Bryce Elder (6-5, 4.64 ERA) for the Stripers vs. TBD for the Bisons. Radio Broadcast: 5:50 p.m. on MyCountry993.com.

Next Home Game (Tuesday, September 13): Gwinnett vs. Durham, 7:05 p.m. at Coolray Field. Radio Broadcast: 6:50 p.m. on MyCountry993.com. It’s a Family Value Tuesday at Coolray Field. Enjoy $2 hot dogs and $1 select desserts, courtesy of Coolray Heating & Cooling.

Taylor Motter