Today saw the end of the first half of the season for Mississippi and below and I think everyone could use a few days off, especially Rome who has lost eight straight games. If you aren't familiar with minor league rules let me refresh you. The season is played in two halves. The winner of each half in each division goes to the playoffs. If a team wins the division in both halves the team with the second best record in the second half will play the first team. AAA does not set up this way. They play basically the same way the Majors do with the winners of the PCL and IL playing each other in the AAA World Series.
Durham Bulls 2, Gwinnett Braves 1
- Jose Constanza LF - 2-4, 2B, SB(18), .344 Avg
- Matt Young CF - 2-4, 3B, .290 Avg
- Todd Redmond 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 1 K, 2.52 ERA
The Braves drop their third straight game to the Bulls after briefly taking the division lead from them. They currently sit two games back. Todd Redmond continues to be rock in the rotation for the Braves even when everyone around him is getting promoted to Atlanta. I'm not advocating that he should be promoted, but it is sad to see a guy who probably could pitch in the Majors just sitting in AAA doing good work. Also I do think Jose Constanza should get some ML work at some point just on principle alone.
Julio Teheran will try to improve his 1.78 ERA against the Syracuse Chiefs.
Mississippi Braves 1, Jacksonville Suns 3
- Mycal Jones CF - 1-3, HR(4), BB, .241 Avg
- Paul Clemens 3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R(1 ER), 3 BB, 4 K, 3.29 ERA
- Kenshin Kawakami 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 5.21 ERA
Mississippi pulled the same trick as Gwinnett by winning the first game of the series but losing the next four to the Suns. Clemens pitched into the fourth inning and was pulled presumably to pitch in Tuesday's All Star Game. Today was the last day of the first half for the Southern League and the Braves finished last in the South Division at 14.5 games out of first place. The Braves will be sending Clemens, Randall Delgado, J.J. Hoover, Brett Oberholtzer and Tyler Pastornicky to the All Star Game.
Kinston Indians 7, Lynchburg Hillcats 6
- Andrelton Simmons SS - 2-4, 2B, CS(10), PO, .304 Avg
- Adam Milligan LF - 1-3, 3B, BB, K, .277 Avg
- Joey Terdoslavich 1B - 1-4, HR(12), 2 RBI, .260 Avg
At least one team could put together some offense, unfortunately the Hillcats' pitching wasn't up to par. Over the last two months Adam Milligan has walked in just under 10% of his plate appearances and struck out in just over 33%. During that span he has posted a wOBA around .390. He has put together a nice couple of months since shaking the rust off in April and I would expect him to get the call to Mississippi once the short seasons start up. Lynchburg finishes their first half in third place in their division with a 30-40 record and 11.5 games out of first place. They had a .500 record on the road but were 10 games under at home. Andrelton Simmons, Joey Terdoslavich and Todd Cunningham will represent the Hillcats on the All Star Team.
Lexington Legends 4, Rome 2
- Tommy La Stella 2B - 0-4
- Edward Salcedo 3B - 1-4, 2B, .268 Avg
- David Rohm RF - 2-4, 2B, 3B, .250 Avg
Tommy La Stella, the Braves 8th round draft pick this year, made his professional debut today. He is the first 2010 2011 Braves draftee to appear in a game this season. Rome finishes the first half of the season in last place in the Southern Division and in possession of the worst record in the league. Caleb Brewer and Jakob Dalfonso will be representing the Braves in the Sally League All Star Game.
DSL Braves - OFF DAY