Gwinnett Braves 12, Charlotte Knights 7
- Todd Cunningham CF: 2-4, 2BB, CS (7)
- Evan Gattis LF: 2-5, HR (1), HBP, R, OF Assist
- Ernesto Mejia DH: 1-3, 2BB, R, SB (8)
- Tyler Greene 2B: 2-4, 2B (14), 2R
- Joe Leonard 1B: 2-5, R
- Sean Kazmar SS: 1-4, BB, 2R
- Matt Pagnozzi C: 2-5, 2B (10), R
- Sean Gilmartin: 5IP, 10H, 7ER, 2BB, 4K
- Ryan Buchter: 2IP, 0H, 0ER, 3BB, 5K
Gwinnett played a wild one Sunday night, beating Charlotte 12-7. After being down 7-2 through seven, the offense rallied to score four in the 8th and six in the 9th to take the win. Sean Gilmartin was roughed up big time, giving up seven earned on 10 hits over five innings. It was a rough year for the Braves 2011 first round pick, sporting a 5.74 ERA in 91 innings in Triple-A. Ryan Buchter picked up five more strikeouts and is now flashing a 103:51 strikeout-to-walk in 62 innings this season.
On offense, Evan Gattis was the story, going deep in his second plate appearance. He also singled was hit by a pitch and threw out Marcus Semien at second from left. I guess this just backs what we already knew; Gattis can hit minor league pitching. Todd Cunningham reached in four of his six plate appearances but was thrown trying to steal second. The Gwinnett lineup finished with 15 hits and five walks on the day.
Mississippi Braves 3, Jacksonville Suns 5
- Dan Brewer RF: 2-4, E (5)
- Tommy La Stella 2B: 1-4
- Edward Salcedo 3B: 0-4, E (29)
- Gus Schlosser: 6IP, 2H, ER, 2BB, 2K
- Pat Egan: 2IP, 3H, 0ER, 0BB, K
Mississippi lost 3-0 Sunday infront of almost 8,000 folks, slimming their chances of making the postseason. Now they must win tomorrow and have Mobile beat Pensacola to clinch. There was very little offense to speak of for Mississippi, although they did outhit Jacksonville 6-5. Tommy La Stella had a chance to do some damage in the 8th with the bases loaded, but flew out to the warning track, spoiling a golden opportunity for Mississippi. Dan Brewer had a multi-hit game in LF, singling twice. Edward Salcedo continued his struggles at the plate going 0-4. He is now slashing .199/.255/.270 since the All-Star Break and really hasn’t done much at the plate outside of a phenomenal May. Gus Schlosser went six innings only giving up one run on two hits, recording 10 groundouts He’ll likely finish 2013 with a 2.44 ERA in 129.1 innings.
Game 1: Lynchburg Hillcats 1, Salem Red Sox 2
- Matt Lipka CF: 0-3, BB
- Emerson Landoni 2B: 1-4, 2B (13)
- Kyle Kubitza 3B: 0-2, 2BB, CS (16)
- Levi Hyams 1B: 1-3, 2B (14), R, E (7)
- Navery Moore: 3IP, 4H, 0ER, 0BB, K
- Chasen Shreve: 21.IP, 2H, ER, BB, 3K
- Brandon Cunniff: 2IP, 0H, 0ER, 0BB, 0K
Lynchburg finished yesterday’s rainout in game one, but was defeated by Salem 2-1. Lynchburg pitchers combined to give up two runs on seven hits, striking out five. The offense was only able to scatter three hits and coax three walks. Kyle Kubitza drew two of them and is now posting a .382 OBP. However, he was caught stealing for the 16th time this season and is now 8-for-24 on the season (yes, 33%!). The only run of the game came by the way of Levi Hyams, who hit his 14th double of the season.
Game 2: Lynchburg Hillcats 0, Salem Red Sox 3
- Matt Lipka CF: 0-3
- Kyle Wren LF: 0-1, BB CS (1)
- Kyle Kubitza 3B: 0-3
- David Rohm RF: 1-3
- Josh Elander DH: 0-2, BB
- Ryan Hinson: 3.1IP, 6H, 3ER, 0BB, 2K
- Nate Hyatt: IP, 2H, 0ER, BB, 2K
- Robert Fish: IP, 0H, 0ER, 0BB, K
Yep, Kyle Wren was promoted to Lynchburg Sunday, going 0-1 with a walk. The 22-year-old was shifted to LF as Matt Lipka (who is a full year younger than Wren) continued to patrol CF. The offense was again putrid, only collecting three hits and two walks. Ryan Hinson made the start going 3.1 innings giving up three runs on six hits. Robert Fish threw a scoreless sixth (and final) inning, striking out one.
Rome Braves 5, Charleston RiverDogs 4
- Jose Peraza SS: 4-5, 2R, 2SB (62, 63)
- Edison Sanchez 1B: 1-4, 2R
- Felix Marte RF: 1-4, 3B (9)
- Tyler Tewell C: 1-4, 3B (3)
- Lucas Sims: 5IP, 5H, 0ER, 0BB, 7K
- Eric Pfisterer 2.2IP, 3H, 2ER, BB, 4K
- Alex Wilson: 0.2IP, 2H, 2ER, BB, 2K
Rome held on in the final innings to escape with a 5-4 win Sunday. In what is likely his last start of 2013, Lucas Sims threw five shutout innings giving up only five hits with no walks and seven punch outs. Sims, who will probably atop most Braves prospects lists this off-season, had a phenomenal 2013. As one of the youngest pitchers in the South Atlantic League, Sims put up a 2.62 ERA, a 134:46 strikeout-to-walk, while only allowing three homers in 116.2 innings. It was great to see him take a step forward with what looks to be a very bright future. On offense, Rome’s other 19-year-old, Jose Peraza, collected four singles and stole his 62nd and 63rd bases of the season. Felix Marte and Tyler Tewell each added triples. Rome will wrap up their season tomorrow against Charleston.