Durham Bulls 1, Gwinnett Braves 7
- Todd Cunningham CF: 2-3, 2BB, 2R
- Christian Bethancourt C: 3-5, HR (8), 2R
- Joey Terdoslavich DH: 2-5, R
- Ozzie Martinez SS: 3-4
- Joe Leonard 1B: 2-4
- Zach Stewart: 7IP, 3H, ER, 2BB, 7K
- Gus Schlosser: IP, H, 0ER, BB, 2K
Gwinnett hosted Durham to continue the home-and-away series, taking a 7-1 win Tuesday. The offense slowly chipped away, totaling 15 hits and seven runs on the night. Ozzie Martinez and Christian Bethancourt each collected three hits as Bethancourt smacked his 8th home run of the season off starter Nate Karns. Centerfielder Todd Cunningham reached four times from the two-hole, scoring two of the seven runs on the night. Starter Zach Stewart held his own, striking out seven over seven innings, only allowing one run, a solo home run, on the night. Gus Schlosser recorded two strikeouts in his one inning of work.
Birmingham Barons 1, Mississippi Braves 6
- Kyle Kubitza 3B: 0-2, 2BB, R
- Cedric Hunter LF: 1-3, 3B (4), R
- David Rohm RF: 1-4, 2B (19), R
- Daniel Castro SS: 3-4, 2 2B (8,9)
- Mitch Atkins: 7IP, 5H, ER, BB, 4K
- John Cornely: 0.2IP, 0H, 0ER, BB, 2K
Mississippi jumped out to an early lead and didn't look back, taking a 6-1 win. Five runs in the first were more than enough for Mitch Atkins and Co., who combined to allow one run on the night. Atkins leveraged his flyable abilities to keep hitters off balance, despite allowing a solo shot in the third. After being announced to the AFL rosters, Daniel Castro had himself a night, collecting three hits including two doubles. The shortstop is only 21-years-old, young for the double-A level, and while has not broke out, has surely held his own so far. Kyle Kubitza walked twice and scored, showing his ability to be a threat on offense even when the hits aren't dropping. His 14% walk rate has allowed his OBP to settle above .400 season.
Lynchburg Hillcats 3, Carolina Mudcats 4
- Levi Hyams 1B: 1-3, 3B (6), BB, 2R
- Sean Godfrey CF: 3-4, 2B (1)
- Jose Matinez LF: 2-4
- Johan Camargo SS: 0-4
- Yenier Bello C: 2-4, 2B (1), R
- Lucas Sims: 4.1IP, 7H, 4ER, 3BB, K
- Nate Hyatt: 2.2IP, 4H, 0ER, 0BB, 3K
I was fortunate enough to sit in on this one on a beautiful night in Zebulon, North Carolina. Unfortunately, Lucas Sims was not as beautiful, allowing four earned runs over 4.1 innings, breaking a chain of quality outings by the right-hander. I plan to have a more detailed write-up on Sims in the coming week, so be on the lookout.
Lynchburg attempted to rally late after Tyler Tewell reached on an error to begin the 9th. Blake Brown entered the game to pinch run and stole second with Camargo at the plate. Camargo proceeded to strikeout, but a wild throw to second allowed Brown to scamper to third. With two out Yenier Bello whiffed on back-to-back, nasty, curveballs, giving the Mudcats the 4-3 win. Nate Hyatt, also announced to the AFL roster, was a bright spot on the mound, using his off speed pitches to keep hitters off balanced, striking out three over 2.2 innings. The righty featured an above-average slider that induced a handful of swing and misses to complement his low-90's fastball, also working in a change up to left-handed batters. I walked away impressed and am glad he will continue to prove himself out in the AFL.
Also some quick notes on Johan Camargo - there's work to be done at the plate (saw him from the left side), but he impressed on defense. The 20-year-old doesn't possess the greatest lateral range for a shortstop, but his plus arm and relatively smooth hands were both on display. He was also a lot more filled out (upper body) than I was expecting - the roster says 160 lbs., but I'd put money he was closer to 175-180lbs. I had him at 4.1 to first from the left side on a push bunt. Definitely a name to keep an eye on.
Rome Braves 4, Kannapolis Intimidators 5
- Connor Lien RF: 1-3, BB
- Ross Wilson 3B: 1-5, 2B (14), R
- Alejandro Piloto LF: 2-4, R
- Codey McElroy SS: 1-4, HR (2), R
- Reed Harper 2B: 2-3, 2B (5)
- Yean Carlos Gil: 5IP, 5H, ER, BB, 2K
- Matt Sims: 2.1IP, 5H, 4ER, BB, K
Rome's bullpen couldn't hold the lead, allowing three runs in the 7th to take an eventual 5-4 loss. Matt Sims had a rough outing in the 'pen, allowing four runs on five hits. The offense was spotty, but was highlighted by Codey McElroy who knocked his second home run in Rome this season. Ross Wilson doubled for the 14th time this season and came around to score one of the four Rome runs.
Danville Braves 7, Princeton Rays 5
- Joseph Daris CF: 2-4, BB, 2R
- Tanner Murphy C: 1-4, HR (5), 2R
- Mike Dodig 1B: 1-4, 2B (8)
- Max Povse: 6IP, 8H, 4ER, BB, 4K
- Jorge Zavala: 1.1IP, 3H, ER, 0BB, K
- Kyle Kinman: 1.2IP, 0H, 0ER, BB, 4K
Danville walked away with a 'W' as it continually put pressure on the Princeton pitching and defense, taking the contest, 7-5. The offense was sparked by leadoff man Joseph Daris who singled rice and walked, coming around to score twice. Mike Dodig drove in two runs, collecting his 8th double of the season, raising his average to .248. Tanner Murphy provided the pop, registering his 5th home run at Danville in the 6th inning. Max Povse made it through six, but was hit around to the tune of four runs on eight hits. Kyle Kinman, the Braves 25th round pick in 2014 continued to impress, notching four strikeouts in 1.2 innings. While old for the level at 23, his 43K/6BB is a great way to end a first full season of pro ball.
GCL Yankees2 2, GCL Braves 1 (F/10)
- Connor Obrochta LF: 1-4, 3B (2)
- Carlos Martinez C: 2-3, SB
- Dilmer Mejia 5IP, 4H, ER, 2BB, 2K
- Luis Gomez: 2IP, H, 0ER, BB, 2K
- Rafael Rodriguez: 3IP, 3H, ER, BB, 4K
Tuesday wasn't the most exciting performance Champion Stadium has ever seen, as the Yankees2 pushed across a run in the 10th to take with win. Carlos Martinez was the only starter to reach twice, knocking two singles while swiping second for his first stolen base. Connor Obrochta tripled for the second time this season. The pitching combined to allow two runs over 10 innings, but the five alms were costly. Delmir Mejia allowed only four hits over five innings, inducing 11 ground ball outs on the day.