Gwinnett Braves (1-2): 1 vs. Durham Bulls (2-1): 4
- Todd Cunningham, CF: 0-5, K, .143
- José Peraza, 2B: 0-4, .182
- Cedric Hunter, RF: 1-3, 2B (1), BB, .333
- Elmer Reyes, SS: 1-2, R, 2 BB, .200
- Matt Kennelly, C: 2-4, 2B (1), .500
- Williams Pérez, SP: 4 IP, 5 H, ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 7:1 GO:FO, 82p:45s, 2.25 ERA
- Kanekoa Texeira (L, 0-1), RP: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 5.79 ERA
- Donnie Veal, RP: 0.1 IP, H, K, 0.00 ERA
Gwinnett was toppled by a 4-1 score by Durham yesterday evening at Coolray Field. Williams Pérez started this one for the Braves and managed to throw 82 pitches in only 4 innings, although he somehow only gave up one run despite allowing five hits and three walks. It wasn't the sharpest night for Pérez, but he did a typically solid job of inducing ground balls, at least. Kanekoa Texeira had a tough night in relief, allowing three runs in 4.2 innings, and lefty specialist Donnie Veal got the final out of the Braves' night. Gwinnett didn't really get the bats going in this one, especially at the top of the order, where Todd Cunnningham and José Peraza combined to go 0 for 9. Cedric Hunter and Matt Kennelly doubled in the game, and Elmer Reyes did a swell job of getting on base, reaching in three of his four plate appearances. Matt Wisler, who was acquired from the Padres in the Craig Kimbrel deal and would probably be Talking Chop's #2 prospect if we were to re-do our pre-season list, will make his Braves debut against the Bulls this afternoon.
Mississippi Braves (2-1): 6 vs. Tennessee Smokies (1-2): 2
- Matt Lipka, CF: 1-3, RBI (1), .286
- Rio Ruiz, 3B: 1-2, R, 2 BB, CS (1), .364
- KD Kang, LF: 1-4, R, 2 RBI (4), K, .375
- Emerson Landoni, SS: 1-3, R, 2B (1), E (2), .143
- Victor Mateo, SP: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, K, 8:3 GO:FO, 91p:54s, 3.00 ERA
- Andrew Robinson (W, 1-0), RP: 2 IP, H, 3 K, 9.00 ERA
- Ian Thomas, RP: IP, K, 0.00 ERA
The M-Braves took advantage of sloppy fielding by the Smokies, who committed five errors as a team and whose pitchers gave up only two earned runs, that led to a 6-run seventh inning and a second consecutive victory. Victor Mateo, who was signed as a Minor League free agent this off-season after spending the first eight years of his career in the Rays organization, got the start and was effective if unspectacular, allowing two runs in six innings, striking out one hitter. Andrew Robinson was impressive in relief, allowing only one hit and striking out three in two innings. Ian Thomas pitched well to close it out, striking out one hitter in a perfect ninth. Rio Ruiz continued his good work to start off the season, reaching base three times on a single and a couple of walks. He was caught stealing once by Kyle Schwarber. KD Kang had a two-run single, and Emerson Landoni's double was the only extra-base hit on the night for the M-Braves. The club will send Jake Brigham to the mound to take on Tennessee in the penultimate game of the series this afternoon.
Carolina Mudcats (2-1): 3 vs. Salem Red Sox (1-2): 1
- Sean Godfrey, CF: 1-4, R, K, OF assist, .364
- Dustin Peterson, LF: 0-3, R, BB, K, .100
- José Briceño, C: 1-4, 2B (2), 2 RBI (3), K, .333
- Connor Oliver, RF: 2-3, .429
- Johan Camargo, SS: 3-3, RBI (1), CS (1), E (1), .571
- Andrew Thurman (W, 1-0), SP: 6 IP, 3 H, 3 K, 9:2 GO:FO, 65p:44s, 0.00 ERA
- Mauricio Cabrera, RP: IP, H, K, 0.00 ERA
Andrew Thurman got the best of the Red Sox in a 3-1 Mudcats win last night. Thurman, who was part of the deal that sent Evan Gattis to the Houston Astros, was efficient and stingy, allowing only a double and a pair of singles in six innings on the bump. Thurman pounded the strike zone, throwing 68% of his pitches for strikes, and induced a healthy ratio of ground balls to fly balls. All in all, it was a quality debut for Thurman. Mauricio Cabrera also had an impressive inning in relief, striking out a hitter in a scoreless inning that elicited this tweet from Baseball America's Josh Norris.
<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Mauricio Cabrera has appeared. He sat 96-98 in his inning. Got a swinging K from Tzu-Wei Lin on an 88 mph CH. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Braves?src=hash">#Braves</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Filth?src=hash">#Filth</a></p>— Josh Norris (@jnorris427) <a href="https://twitter.com/jnorris427/status/587034925943148544">April 11, 2015</a></blockquote>
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The biggest blow of the game for the Mudcats came in the sixth inning, when a Sean Godfrey single and a Dustin Peterson walk set up a two-run double by José Briceño that put Carolina up for good. Johan Camargo also had a quality night at the plate, singling in all three of his plate appearances. The night was a mixed bag for Camargo, however, as he was also caught stealing and committed a fielding error. The Mudcats will look to win the series this afternoon, as they'll send Steve Janas to the mound in the series finale in what is being billed as "Pirates and Princesses Day." Can't wait.
Rome Braves (0-3): 3 vs. Asheville Tourists (3-0): 5
- Ozhaino Albies, SS: 1-4, R, BB, SB (1), .083
- Keith Curcio, CF: 1-4, RBI (2), BB, .250
- Jordan Edgerton, 3B: 1-4, R, 2B (1), RBI (1), E (2), .333
- Braxton Davidson, DH: 1-2, 2 BB, .250
- Joseph Daris, LF: 1-4, R, K, 2 SB (3), .200
- Ricardo Sánchez (L, 0-1), SP: 4 IP, 4 H, 4 R (3 ER), BB, 2 K, 3:6 GO:FO, 69p:39s, 6.75 ERA
- Sean Furney, RP: 4 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 5 K, 2.25 ERA
- Caleb Dirks, RP: IP, K, 0.00 ERA
Rome continued its slow start to the 2015 season today, dropping their third consecutive game to Asheville by a 5-3 count. Ricardo Sánchez made his Braves debut on his 18th birthday (he's the youngest player in full season professional baseball) and struggled a bit, allowing four runs (three earned) in four innings of work. Sánchez only walked one hitter and struck out two, but allowed four hits including a triple. Going forward, it will be interesting to see how the left-hander handles this level of baseball. He's incredibly young for the low-A level, and all of the hitters he will face will be older than him. Sean Furney, who was acquired by the Braves from the Diamondbacks for cash considerations last month, followed Sánchez with four innings of one-run relief. Ozhaino Albies reached base twice in five tries last night, including his first hit of the season, and also swiped a base. Albies is a plus-plus runner who should be able to rack up stolen bases with relative ease, especially at this level. Braxton Davidson continued to get on base, walking twice and singling. Jordan Edgerton had the Braves' only extra-base hit of the night, an RBI double that scored Albies in the fourth inning. Alec Grosser Day is this afternoon at State Mutual Stadium. Get excited!