Rain couldn't stop the Lynchburg HIllcats from sweeping a doubleheader, though it did prevent the Rome Braves from playing at all, while both Gwinnett and Mississippi couldn't muster any offense in losses.

Gwinnett Braves 0, Columbus Clippers 4

• Jacob Thompson 7 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 5 K, 5.49 ERA
• Stephen Marek 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K, 0.00 ERA

The G-Braves only mustered 4 hits in this one, leading to a shutout that wasted Jacob Thompson's best start of the season. Thompson was hit around pretty solidly in his first two starts, then pitched decently in his last one, but he managed a quality start and then some tonight. Stephen Marek remains nearly untouchable, tossing a perfect inning in the 9th. In 9.2 innings over 8 appearances he hasn't allowed a single run or a walk, striking out 14 and putting up an insane 0.54 WHIP. He dominated last year in Gwinnett, so it's easy to see he has nothing left to prove in the Minor Leagues.

Mike Minor will look to continue his dominance tomorrow against the Clippers.

Mississippi Braves 2, Montgomery Biscuits 17

• Donell Linares 1B-3B 2-4, 2 2B, E (1), .267 AVG
• CJ Retherford 3B 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI, E (1), .186 AVG
• Tim Gustafson 2.1 IP, 8 R, 7 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 2 K, 11.37 ERA

Mississippi never had a chance in this one, as Tim Gustafson allowed 3 runs in the first and things just spiraled downward from there. Things got so bad that third baseman CJ Retherford, who drove in the only 2 M-Braves runs on a 7th inning double, had to come in and pitch the 9th, allowing 5 runs on 5 hits, including a 3 run homer to catcher Nevin Ashley.

After losing 3 of 5 against Montgomery, the M-Braves begin a series against the Huntsville Stars tomorrow with Randall Delgado getting the nod in the opener.

Lynchburg Hillcats 3, Wilmington Blue Rocks 2, Game 1

LV Ware LF 1-3, .333 AVG

Adam Milligan DH 1-3, 2B, RBI, .232 AVG

Joe Leonard 3B 2-2, 2 2B, RBI, BB, .271 AVG

Zeke Spruill 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 5 K, 1.71 ERA

Willie Kempf 3.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K, W (1), 10.50 ERA

This game was picked up in the 4th inning after beings supsended yesterday due to rain and there was an lenghty delay today in the 6th due to rain. The biggest shame is that Zeke Spruill had his fantastic outing cut short. Through 3 he had given up just 1 hit and fanned 5, easily his best start in what has already been an outstanding comeback season. Through 21 innings over 4 starts he has a 1.71 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP. After getting knocked around for 12 runs in 3.1 innings in his last start, Willie Kempf came back strong in his first relief appearance, which was really more like a start since he was on the mound when the game started back up today, allowing just 1 run over 3.2 innings. LV Ware extended his hitting streak to 9 games and Joe Leonard reached base in all 3 of his plate appearances.

Lynchburg Hillcats 5, Wilmington Blue Rocks 2, Game 2

• Joe Terdoslavich DH 1-3, HR (7), 2 RBI, .250 AVG
• Joe Leonard 3B 1-2, BB, .279 AVG
• Andrelton Simmons SS 3-3, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, .286 AVG
• Chris Masters 5 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 6 K, W (2), 1.56 ERA
• Eliecer Cardenas 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 4 K, SV (2), 0.90 ERA

Chris Masters got his first start of the season in the nightcap, allowing 2 runs over 5 innings and picking up his second win of the season.  Eliecer Cardenas continued his excellent work, picking up a 2 inning save while striking out 4 and keeping the Blue Rocks off the board. The big righty has a 0.90 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and 10.8 K/9 in 10 innings over 6 appearances. If he can keep his walks in check, his 6.3 BB/9 is way too high, he could be a great steal from the Royals. LV Ware couldn't get a hit in this one, ending his hitting streak at 9. Joe Terdoslavich hit a 2 run homer, his league leading 7th. It's been a statistically odd season so far for the first baseman, as 10 of his 16 hits have gone for extra bases, leading to a .625 slugging percentage, yet he's taken just 1 walk, leading to a pathetic .262 on base percentage. In the doubleheader, Joe Leonard went 3-4 with 2 doubles, 2 walks and an RBI. Andrelton Simmons had 3 hits, including a double and a triple, driving in 2 runs. After a slump he's gotten his groove back with the bat, hitting .361 with a .855 OPS in his last 10 games. for the season he's hit .286 with a .713 OPS and considering his outstanding defense if he could produce like that as a Major Leaguer he'd have a long and productive career.

Nothing like an 11 am start time the day after a dboutlheader. Hopefully Matt Crim was able to leave the park early and get rest for his start.

Rome Braves - Postponed

Rome's afternoon game against the Asheville Tourists was postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Thursday night. David Filak and Carlos Perez are the probably starters for the doubleheader.