G-BRAVES 5, PAWSOX 0: Hanson gets 1st win, 9 K’s

PAWTUCKET, R.I. —- Gwinnett Braves starter Tommy Hanson pitched six scoreless innings and struck out nine PawSox on Thursday in a 5-0 victory that was his first in Class AAA.

Hanson (1-3) allowed only three hits and two walks, lowering his earned run average to 1.69. Mariano Gomez pitched the final three innings for his first save.

Shortstop Diory Hernandez gave Gwinnett a 1-0 lead with an RBI single in the first inning at McCoy Stadium and singled in another run during the Braves’ four-run fourth.

Pawtucket loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the first, but Hanson escaped by striking out the next two batters. He also recorded a pair of strikeouts in the fourth and fifth.

Hanson’s stock as an Atlanta Braves prospect rose this spring after he went 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA in four Grapefruit League games.

Gwinnett (9-12) will try to win its fifth straight game when it plays at Pawtucket again tonight at 6:15.