Alvarez Jr. and Logue shine, but Stripers lose both matches in doubleheader with Charlotte

July 20, 2024 – International League (IL)
Gwinnett Stripers Press Release

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Zach Logue defeated the Charlotte Knights (10-8) in 4.0 perfect innings and Nacho Alvarez Jr. hit a home run in Game 1, but the Gwinnett Stripers (9-11) struggled with missed opportunities on offense during a doubleheader, allowing the Knights to win the opener 5-4 and shut out Gwinnett 2-0 in Game 2 Saturday night at Coolray Field.

Deciding Plays (Game 1): Charlotte broke out for a three-run first inning, punctuated by a two-run homer by Colson Montgomery. Alvarez Jr. hit a solo homer (7) to put the Stripers on the board in the home half. After Charlotte took a 4-1 lead in the top of the second, Gwinnett came back for three runs to tie the game at 4-4 on two RBI doubles by Alvarez Jr. and Andrew Velazquez. Lenyn Sosa doubled off Dominic Fletcher in the top of the fifth off Jackson Stephens (L,1-5) for the deciding run.

Deciding Plays (Game 2): Taylor Widener struck out Zach Remillard with the bases loaded to preserve a 0-0 tie. Montgomery led off the seventh inning with a double and scored on an RBI single by Carlos Perez. A wild pitch by Daysbel Hernandez (L, 4-1) scored Perez from third base to make it 2-0.

Key Contributors: Alvarez Jr. homered in Game One and went a combined 5-for-7 across the twin bill. Logue (4.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO) was masterful on the mound in Game Two. Velazquez and Luke Williams each had multi-hit games in Game One.

Note: The two longest individual on-base streaks were extended when Chadwick Tromp reached 18 games and Drake Baldwin extended his total to 17 games. The Stripers were eliminated for only the fourth time this season. In his return to Coolray Field after Tommy John surgery last season, Ian Anderson threw 3.2 innings (6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO) and 70 pitches in game one for Gwinnett.

Next Game (Sunday, July 21): Gwinnett vs. Charlotte, 1:05 p.m. ET at Coolray Field. Airdate: 12:50 p.m. ET on MyCountry993.com and Bally Live, 1 p.m. ET on Peachtree Sports Network. RHP AJ Smith-Shawver (1-3, 5.97 ERA) starts for Gwinnett, opposite LHP Jake Eder (NR) for Charlotte. It’s COUNTRY Financial Sunday Funday at Coolray Field, featuring Pregame Catch on the Field and Postgame Kids Run the Bases.

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