Gwinnett Braves 3, Buffalo Bison 2
- Todd Cunningham, CF: 2-4, 2B, 2 R - .289/.375/.386
- Brandon Boggs, DH: 2-4, 2B, RBI - .259/.345/.448
- Ernesto Mejia, 1B: 1-3, HR(17), RBI - .252/.340/.531
- David Hale, SP: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K - 4.37 ERA
- Luis Ayala, RP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K - 0.00 ERA
- Juan Cedeno, RP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K - 3.81 ERA
Gwinnett held off a late ninth inning rally from the Bison to notch their 31st win of the year. Ernesto Mejia was the offensive hero for Gwinnett, hitting a two-run homer in the 8th inning, which would prove to be the game-winning RBI. The home run was Mejia's 17th of the year, and Gwinnett's first baseman is now sporting a hefty .279 ISO. Brandon Boggs and Todd Cunningham each chipped in with multi-hit games as well. David Hale made his 4th start since coming off of the DL, and this was by far the best of the 4. Hale allowed 7 hits but no runs across 6 frames, whiffing three but not walking a batter. Control has always been something of a problem for Hale, so outings like this are always good to see. Luis Ayala made his first rehab appearance and tossed a scoreless inning.
Birmingham Barons 2, Mississippi Braves 3
- Jose Martinez, DH: 2-3, R, RBI, BB - .302/.367/.391
- Edward Salcedo, 3B: 1-3, HR(9), BB, K - .275/.339/.451
- Michael Lee, SP: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R(1 ER), 3 BB, 3 K - 4.38 ERA
- Ryne Harper, RP: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K - 1.82 ERA
- Juan Jaime, RP: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K - 1.35 ERA
Despite being outhit 8-5, the M-Braves nipped the Barons 3-2 last night night. Edward Salcedo opened the scoring his his ninth blast of the year, a solo shot in the second inning. Salcedo also drew a walk, and is now OPSing .790, which is 79 points higher than his previous season best (in full-season ball.) He's also raised his BB% and ISO to career highs so far, definite signs that the Braves' once-ballyhooed signing may be starting to come into his own. Jose Martinez was the only M-Brave to notch a multi-hit game, with his second single being the walk-off winner for Mississippi.
Charleston RiverDogs 4, Rome Braves 2
- Casey Kalenkosky, DH: 2-4, 2B, RBI, K, CS - .233/.321/.451
- Chase Anselment, C: 2-4, 2B - .300/.324/.443
- Jose Pereza, SS: 1-4, R - .262/.315/.338
- Wes Parsons, SP: 5 IP, 2 H, 2 R(1 ER), 2 BB, 7 K - 4.20 ERA
Rome dropped a rather forgettable game to Charleston last night, losing 4-2. Wes Parsons was the hard-luck loser, allowing only 1 earned run over 5 innings (only 4 baserunners!) and striking out 7 in the process. Unfortunately, the Rome offense couldn't back him. Casey Kalenkosky did his part, going 2-4 with an RBI double. Chase Anselment also added 2 hits, including a double. Jose Pereza went 1-4, and while his season slash line may look a little disappointing, Ethan points out that he is still just a 19 year old true shortstop getting his first taste of full-season ball. He'll be just fine.
Princeton Rays 1, Danville Braves 9
- Victor Caratini, 3B: 4-4, 2 2B, 3B, RBI, 3 R
- Kyle Wren, CF: 3-5, 2 R, 2 K, SB(1)
- Jacob Schrader, 1B: 1-2, R, 2 RBI, BB
- Conner Lien, RF: 1-4, 2B, R, RBI, 2 K
- Bryan De La Rosa, C: 1-3, R, BB, K
- Justin Black, LF: 0-4, 2 K
- Andry Ubiera, SP: 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 3 K
- Matt Kimbrel, RP: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Danville kicked off their season last night taking on the Princeton Rays, and what a debut it was for many of the Braves' 2013 draftees. No one had a better night than the Braves' 2013 2nd round pick Victor Caratini, however. Caratini played third base, hit third in the order, and had a perfect day at the plate, missing the cycle by a home run. He went 4-4 with a single, two doubles, and a triple. He also scored three times and drove in one. Kyle Wren, Atlanta's 8th round pick this year (and son of GM Frank Wren) also had a fantastic debut. Wren went 3-5 hitting leadoff and also stole his first base of his pro career. With speed as his primary calling card, look for lots more of those in the future. Jacob Schrader, Atlanta's 27th round pick this year, hit cleanup and played first base. Schrader went 1-2 with an RBI single and a walk. Bryan De La Rosa, Atlanta's 3rd round pick last year, went 1-3 with a walk. Conner Lien, a toolsy outfielder drafted in the 12th round last year, went 1-4 with a double. Danville's pitching was lights out as well. Touted international signing Andry Ubiera took a no hitter into the fifth inning before allowing a run. He still notched his first win of the year though, allowing only 4 baserunners through 5 innings while whiffing 3. Matt Kimbrel, Craig's brother, tossed two perfect innings in relief.
*I haven't noted rate stats for Danville (ERA/AVG/OBP/SLG) because this was their first game. We'll put them up after a week or so, when they have a few games under their belt
For some video of Danville's game yesterday, check out this article from a local news network. Thanks to @WStephenShaw on Twitter for the link.