Stripers’ Six-Run Third Inning Backs Murphy in 8-1 Win at Louisville

Press Release

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – Atlanta Braves’ No. 10 prospect Owen Murphy pitched 5.0 innings of one-run baseball and Lizandro Espinoza homered in a six-run third inning as the Gwinnett Stripers (25-27, 63-63) routed the Louisville Bats (18-34, 57-68) 8-1 on Tuesday night at Louisville Slugger Field. Gwinnett leads the series 1-0.

Decisive Plays:  The Stripers’ six-run third snapped a 1-1 tie. A sacrifice fly by David McCabe put Gwinnett ahead 2-1, and a two-run throwing error by Bats’ third baseman Juan Brito scored two more to make it 4-1. Espinoza curled a three-run homer (2) around the left-field foul pole to raise the advantage to 7-1. In the fourth, Rowdy Tellez tagged a solo home run (15) to right field, extending the lead to 8-1. Louisville’s lone run came on Will Benson’s solo homer (3) off Murphy in the second.

Key Contributors: Murphy (W, 5-7), making his first start since August 13, went 5.0 innings (2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 SO). Gwinnett relievers Bailey Falter, Blake Burkhalter, and James Karinchak combined to strike out five batters over 4.0 scoreless innings. Offensively for the Stripers, Espinoza (1-for-4, homer, 3 RBIs) and Tellez (3-for-5, homer, 2 RBIs) combined to drive in five of the eight runs. Benson went 1-for-3 with a homer and one RBI for the Bats.

Noteworthy:  Jim Jarvis, playing his first game with the Stripers since July 1, went 1-for-3 with a double and two walks to extend his on-base streak to 22 games (extends back to June 6). Espinoza has driven in seven runs in just five games during his Triple-A debut with Gwinnett. Burkhalter has not allowed a run over his last 7.1 innings spanning four outings since August 15.

Next Game (Wednesday, August 26):  Gwinnett Stripers at Louisville Bats, 6:35 p.m. ET at Louisville Slugger Field. Radio Broadcast: 6:20 p.m. on MyCountry993.com. Live Video Stream: Bally Sports Live.