Atlanta Braves Minor League Recap: 4/9

Gwinnett Braves 9, Charlotte Knights 1

• T. Hanson  4.1IP 3H 0R 2BB 10K 1WP 1HBP
  
• G. Blanco  0-4 BB, 4K
• K. Medlen  3.2IP 0H 0R 0BB 4K
• B. Canizares  3-5 2B, HR, 2 RBI

Tommy Hanson did his thing like normal today though he had some control problems walking two, hitting a dude (he probably deserved it) and throwing one away (He threw 84 pitches for those that were wondering). He still didn't allow any runs even though he allowed 7 guys to reach base. Kris Medlen was just as impressive and I am interested to see what role he takes when he gets to Atlanta. Blanco worries me a little with those 4 Ks but I think Schafer has things covered.

Carolina 3, Mississippi 4

• G. Hernandez 0-2 2BB
• K. Kaaihue 1-4 HR, 2 RBI
• B. Hicks 1-4 2K

Willie Cabrera and Travis Jones both added two hits in this game and the big boppers only struck out 4 times total! Concepcion Rodiriguez singled in Brandon Hicks in the bottom of the 9th for the walk off win in the first game of the season. Jonny Venters pitched well, showing a little rust and only making it through 3.2 innings. He also helped his cause with a 2B and RBI.

Wilmington 9, Myrtle Beach 2

• J. Heyward 1-4 K
• F. Freeman 0-3 K, HBP
• C. Johnson 1-3 HR, K
• M. Kennelly 2-3 2B
• C. Kimbrel 1.2IP 3H 6R 3ER 4BB 0K

Not much on opening night from Salt and Pepper. CJ did what he does best and Edgar Osuna was excellent in 4 innings of work allowing only 1 run. The big surprise is Craig Kimbrel catching whatever the Atlanta pen had last night as he had 4BB in his 1.2 innings and 0K. Maybe we won't see him this year. And I was surprised he wasn't in AA. This is why I don't get paid for this crap.

Rome 8, Charleston 2

• S. Sime 3-4 2B, RBI
• L. V. Ware 1-4 3B, K
• R. Sullivan 5IP 8H 2R 0BB 4K
• Z. Spruill 4IP 5H 0R 0BB 5K

Not a bad outing for two guys we drafted last season. Sullivan was an 11th Rd. pick out of SCAD and is a darkhorse propsect in the same way Tommy Hanson ws at this point. Spruill, of course, is a little better known being our 2nd Rd. pick in last years draft and he pitched superbly, striking out the side in his first inning in full season ball. Neither man surrendered a walk in the game and this Rome staff is already delivering on its promise. despite 8 runs the offense didn't do much, only getting 7 scattered hits with the help of 5 Charleston errors. I will just make a note that Chris Shehan is my darkhorse hitter on this team as he was statistically the second best hitter in the NCAA last year behind Buster Posey. He was 0-4 with 2 RBI tonight.