G-Braves Rally with Long Ball

Stefan Gartrell and Mauro Gomez will both be in the AAA home run derby ahead of the in Salt Lake City on Tuesday. Both got some extra practice on Sunday at . Gartrell hit two homeruns and Gomez hit one as the Gwinnett Braves rallied for a 6-4 victory over Charlotte Knights. Chris Carter hit a 2-run shot and the Braves picked up their 50th win of the year and remained 1/2 game behind Durham, who won 3-1 over Norfolk. With the win, Gwinnett has the most wins at the All-Star break since being arriving here three years ago and most since 2002 when they were at Richmond.

Martin Prado, who made another rehab start, went 0-5 but made three great plays on defense at third base.

Charlotte got on the scoreboard first when on the second pitch of the game leftfielder Alejandro De Aza hit a 0-1 pitch for his ninth home run of the year. Gwinnett tied in the bottom of the second when Mauro Gomez hit his 15th home run of the year snapping an 0-12 streak.

The Knights then took a 2-run lead when Lastings Milledge drove in one with a single and Michael Restovich drove in another with a double. But starting pitcher Todd Redmond was able to get off with no more damage. Gwinnett cut the lead to 3-2 in the third inning when Stefan Gartrell hit his 17th home run on the first pitch he saw.

Designated Hitter Chris Carter gave the Gwinnett Braves the lead at 4-3 with a 2-run home run on a 1-1 pitch in the bottom of the fifth. It was Carter's 14th home run combined with Durham and Gwinnett.

The Braves added to the lead in the bottom of the sixth when Ruben Gotay led off with a single, stole second and went to third on an infield single by Diory Hernandez and scored when Ed Lucas hit into a doubleplay. But Gwinnett led 5-3. Todd Redmond (6-8) went 5 1/3 innings giving up three earned runs to pick up his sixth win of the year.

The Knights got a run closer when De Aza singled to lead off the seventh inning but was caught stealing by catcher Wilken Castillo. That was a big out because The Knights got a walk and a single and then a 2-out single by Jordan Danks to cut the score to 5-4. But Castillo picked off Danks for the third out of the inning and second pickoff of the inning.

Gwinnett added another run on Gartrell's second homer of the game for the final margin. Jaye Chapman came in to get the final three outs for his first save of the year.

"I think batting practice would have been more practice for the home run derby than in a game," said Gartrell. "But it does give me more confidence going into it. Hitting home runs here is pretty tough with the humidity and a big field. I've heard in Salt Lake City the balls flies out of there. I guess I feel a little more confident. I just want to hit one or two. I don't want to go out there with nothing."

Gartrell had been struggling against Charlotte, who the Braves got Gartrell from in an early season trade. It was also his 100th career home run in the minors. "The whole organization knows my strengths and weaknesses," Gartrell said. "Today I said i am just going to relax and try to make good contact. I don't know if that's a great thing with a hundred home runs in the minor leagues but I am pretty proud of it."

Coach Dave Brundage was also proud of his team heading into the break including starting pitcher Redmond and Prado, who threw out a runner at the plate. "He competed well and gave us the opportunity to win a ball game," Brundage said. "For the most part he gives us the opportunity. It was a great play by Martin going to his left, having not been out at third base that much. He showed good instincts knowing what the score is and not being able to get a double play and a heck of a play by Castillo to get the tag down."

So the Braves will go into the break in second place with 50 wins just a half game out of first behind Durham Bulls and will return to Coolray Field on .