The Danville Braves took game one of their playoff series on the back of sterling pitching and timely pitching, Gwinnett split a doublheader that put them in the Wild Card lead, with Mauro Gomez hitting 2 homers and driving in 8 runs in one game, and David Hale struck out 9 in a no decision for Lynchburg.
Gwinnett Braves 11, Norfolk Tides 2, Game 1
- Matt Young LF-2B 3-3, 3 BB, .278 AVG
- Wilkins Ramirez LF 2-4, SB (9), .244 AVG
- Mauro Gomez 1B 4-5, 3B, 2 HR (19, 20), 8 RBI, E (6), .292 AVG
- Jeff Fiorentino CF 3-5, .276 AVG
- Erik Cordier 4 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 1 K, 4.94 ERA
- Peter Moylan 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 0 K, 0.00 ERA
- JJ Hoover 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K, 10.50 ERA
This game was the completion of a game that was suspended on July 25th, which is why the averages and ERAs aren't accurate, they're over a month old. Mauro Gomez hit 2 homers in the game, a month apart. He drove in 8 runs, and continued his torrid hitting stretch. Erik Cordier had those 4 solid innings last month before the suspension. Peter Moylan started the suspended game, pitching on consecutive days for the first time in his rehab, and he pitched a scoreless inning. Atlanta will activate him off the disabled list tomorrow. JJ Hoover had yet another scoreless appearance, getting credit for pitching in a game with Gwinnett on a day when he was actually still on Mississippi's roster.
Gwinnett Braves 1, Norfolk Tides 2, Game 2
- Matt Young LF 2-2, BB, SB (17), .269 AVG
- Steven Shell 4 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K, 4.45 ERA
- Cory Gearrin 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K, 1.71 ERA
Matt Young combined to go 5-5 with 4 walks in the doubleheader, breaking a 0-7 slump. Cory Gearrin was a little wild, but he still struck out 3 over 2 scoreless innings, continuing a hot streak that's seen him post a 0.82 ERA, a 1.23 WHIP, and 12.7 K/9 in 22 innings since the All-Star break.
The G-Braves trail Durham by 3 games in the South Division, but have a half game lead over Lehigh Valley in the Wild Card. Julio Teheran, the International League Rookie of the Year and Pitcher of the Year, is scheduled to pitch tomorrow.
Mississippi Braves - Off
Chris Cody will pitch on Thursday as the team begins its final series of the season.
Lynchburg Hillcats 3, Potomac Nationals 6
- Barrett Klienknecht 2B 1-3, HR (7), RBI, BB, E (8), .221 AVG
- Joey Terdoslavich 1B 1-4, HR (18), 2 RBI, .283 AVG
- David Hale 6 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 9 K, 4.12 ERA
Joey Terdoslavich hit his 18th homer of the year, though it was just his 6th since the All-Star break. Despite the lack of over-the-wall pop, Terd's actually been a little better in the second half, hitting with a .308 average, .364 OBP, .881 OPS, 27 doubles, 6 homers, and 39 RBI, compared to a .260 average, .316 OBP, .828 OPS, 23 doubles, 12 homers, and 26 RBI in the first half. Barrett Kleinknecht hit his 7th homer with Lynchburg, and his 3rd in the last 4 games. In those 4 games, he's gone 5-15 with 2 doubles, 3 homers, 3 RBI, and a walk. David Hale struck out 9 while only allowing 1 run over 6 innings. His numbers as a starter are very solid, with a 3.64 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP in 71.2 innings, compared to a 5.64 ERA and a 1.79 WHIP in 22.1 innings as a starter.
Matt Crim will face Potomac tomorrow.
Rome Braves - Off
Sean Gilmartin is scheduled to start Thursday as the team begins its final series of the season.
Danville Braves 6, Johnson City 3
- Nick Ahmed SS 2-3, 2B, BB
- Kyle Kubitza DH 2-4, 2B, RBI
- Brandon Drury 3B 2-3, 2B, RBI, BB
- William Beckwith 2-3, RBI, BB
- JR Graham 7.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 10 K, W
- John Cornely 1.2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K, SV
Things looked bleak in the first game of the Appalachian League Playoffs when JR Graham allowed 3 runs in the 1st inning, but he settled down, tossing 6.1 perfect innings after the 1st, striking out 10 in the process, and his offense rallied behind him, scoring 5 runs between the 6th and 7th innings. The 1 through 4 hitters, Nick Ahmed, Kyle Kubitza, Brandon Drury, and William Beckwith combined to go 8-13, with 3 doubles, 3 RBI, 3 walks, and all 6 runs scored.
The series moves to Johnson City on Thursday for game 2, where Danville's AJ Holland will face Johnson City's Kyle Hald, an Appy League All-Star.