Stripers Can’t Hold 5-2 Ninth Inning Lead in Series Opening Loss

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Kyle Wright made a return to form, striking out seven over 3.2 one-hit innings in a strong rehab start, but the Gwinnett Stripers (61-70) allowed four runs in the ninth inning as the Worcester Red Sox (72-60) snatched a 6-5 victory away from them on Tuesday night at Coolray Field.

Decisive Plays: Gwinnett plated two in the first inning on RBIs from Jesus Aguilar and Drew Lugbauer to take a 2-0 lead. The Stripers added to it on an RBI sacrifice fly in the second by Dalton Guthrie. Worcester got a run across in the fifth to make it 3-1, but Guthrie extended the Gwinnett lead with a two-run home run (2) in the home half. Entering the ninth down 5-2, the Red Sox plated four, with the tying runs scoring on a throwing error by Grant Holmes, and the winning run crossing on an RBI single from Ronaldo Hernandez.

Key Contributors: Guthrie (1-for-1, homer, 3 RBI) drove in over half the Stripers’ runs and Wright (3.2, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 SO) struck out half of the batters he faced. For Worcester, David Hamilton (2-for-4, RBI) and Nick Sogard (2-for-4, run) both scored in that four-run ninth for the Woo-Sox.

Noteworthy: Guthrie set a new season-high with a three-RBI game. Holmes saw his 11-game save streak snapped, which had stretched back to May 30 against Norfolk. The Stripers recorded two more sacrifice flies to push their season total to 59, which continues to lead the International League.

Next Game (Wednesday, September 6): Gwinnett vs. Worcester 7:05 p.m. ET at Coolray Field. Broadcast: 6:50 p.m. ET on MyCountry99.3.com. LHP Dylan Dodd (2-6, 6.55 ERA) for the Stripers against TBD for the Red Sox. It’s Wet Nose Wednesday at Coolray Field (presented by Sahlen’s) featuring free admission for dogs with a paid owner on The Bank.