Gwinnett Braves: 8 vs. Charlotte Knights: 4
- José Constanza, LF: 2-4, 3B (1), 2 RBI (7), BB, K, .281
- Tommy La Stella, 2B: 3-5, 2B (2), 2 RBI (9), .327
- Ernesto Mejía, DH: 2-3, HR (7), 3 RBI (22), 2 BB, .377
- Tyler Greene, 3B: 2-4, SB (1), K, .222
- Zach Stewart: 6 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 5.06 ERA
- Wirfin Obipso: IP, 2 K, 0.00 ERA
- Ryan Buchter: 2 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 3 K, 5.79 ERA
In a matchup that saw Tommy Hanson make a start against his former organization as his first appearances as a member of the White Sox organization, the G-Braves rolled to their sixth consecutive win, 8-4. The Braves beat up on Hanson, causing him to depart after four laborious innings. Ernesto Mejía hit another home run, his seventh of the season, off of Hanson, and reached base in four of his five plate appearances. Tommy La Stella also had a strong day offensively, doubling and racking up three hits and two RBIs to raise his average up to .327. Zach Stewart, Gwinnett's starting pitcher, also took on his former organization, and was serviceable, surrendering three runs in six innings of work. Wirfin Obispo worked a strong inning in relief, and has been impressive thus far in 2014, pitching 7.2 innings while striking out 11 batters and walking only 3.
Mississippi Braves: 3 at Montgomery Biscuits: 4
- Cedric Hunter, LF: 2-4, HR (2), RBI (4), .243
- Elmer Reyes, SS: 2-4, 2B (2), K, .385
- Kyle Kubitza, 3B: 0-3, R, BB, K, .163
- Matt Kennelly, C: 2-4, 2B (1), RBI (2), .281
- Aaron Northcraft: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 7.04 ERA
- Ryan Weber: 2.2 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K, 1.50 ERA
- James Hoyt: 0.2 IP, 2 K, 2.25 ERA
After breaking a 33-inning stretch in which they didn't score a run with a two-run seventh inning, Mississippi's comeback fell just a bit short against the Rays' AA affiliate on Sunday afternoon. Aaron Northcraft got the start for Mississippi and was ineffective, allowing 4 runs in 4.2 innings of work. Ryan Weber and James Hoyt both worked scoreless relief outings to keep the M-Braves in the game, but it wasn't enough in the end. The M-Braves broke their scoring drought in the 7th inning, in which an Emerson Landoni RBI single scored Cedric Hunter and a Matt Kennelly double brought in Kyle Kubitza. Cedric Hunter also chipped in with a solo home run in the top of the 8th, but Mississippi's rally fell short 4-3 ultimately. This has been a frustrating stretch of games for Mississippi, and they've seen their record fall to 6-11. Jason Hursh will take the mound for the team as they attempt to right the ship tomorrow in Montgomery.
Lynchburg Hillcats: 5 vs. Potomac Nationals: 6
- José Peraza, 2B: 2-5, RBI (5), K, .315
- Kyle Wren, CF: 1-5, R, SB (12), .265
- Kevin Ahrens, 3B: 1-5, RBI (11), E (1, fielding), .237
- Will Skinner, RF: 2-3, 2 R, .214
- Daniel Castro, SS: 2-4, 2 R, RBI (7), .291
- Lucas Sims: 6 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 4.71 ERA
- Colby Holmes: 3 IP, 3 H, ER, 4 K, 3.00 ERA
Lucas Sims had a tough start as Lynchburg lost a squeaker to the P-Nats on Easter afternoon, 6-5. Sims wasn't terrible by any stretch of the imagination, but he did give up a big fourth inning two-run home run to Potomac slugger Kevin Keyes that was the main exclamation point in a four-run fourth inning for Potomac. Sims hasn't been terrible for Lynchburg this season, but he is certainly adjusting to the learning curve that exists in high-A ball. He's given up 4 home runs in his four starts, and generally isn't missing as many bats as he did during his dominating Sally League season down in Rome last season. I'm not particularly concerned, however, as Sims still isn't even 20 years old and is still über talented. Sims is a competitor and has the mental makeup to adjust and persevere, so I think he'll be just fine as he progresses through the season. José Peraza stayed hot for Lynchburg, chipping in a couple of hits, and Kyle Wren stole another base, his 12th of the season. Sunday's loss was the first instance in which the Hillcats lost a second consecutive game this season, and they dropped to 9-8.
Rome Braves: Off-Day
Rome was off on Easter Sunday, and will welcome the Greensboro Grasshoppers, Miami's single-A affiliate, to Statue Mutual Stadium this evening.