(59-72) Gwinnett Braves 8, (64-68) Buffalo Bisons 3
Rio Ruiz, 3B: 0-4, .265/.349/.391
Tyler Moore, DH: 2-4, HR (2), 2 RBI, .257/.299/.414
Reid Brignac, 2B: 3-4, 2B, 2 HR (8), 3 RBI, .262/.358/.400
Rob Wooten, SP: 4 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 2.89 ERA
The Braves big win over the Bisons (who clearly aren’t aware of the proper plural form of the word Bison) was a big one, as it allowed them to keep pace with the Charlotte Knights and stay just half a game back with one in hand. Reid Brignac had the best offensive output with 2 home runs and 3 RBIs, all late in the game. Tyler Moore also homered in his first game back with Gwinnett since May 4. Rio Ruiz struggled to an 0-4 night and struck out 3 times for the first time since May 18.
The pitching staff was strong for the most part, with Rob Wooten getting the start and pitching a fantastic 4 innings. Outside of a home run to the second batter, he shut down the Bisons and kept the Braves alive as they struggled to score through the first 5 innings. Bradley Roney got the win by pitching the next 3 innings scoreless, and as usual he was wild but hard to hit. He struck out 4 and allowed only 1 hit, though he did walk two and only threw 27 of 48 pitches for strikes. Shae Simmons closed out the game with a scoreless inning, his first time working back-to-back days. All seems in line for Simmons to make his return to Atlanta in the next few days, but they may choose to hold him back a while extra just to be sure of his health.
Next Game: 8/25 vs (64-68) Buffalo Bisons @ 7:05 PM ET
Probable Starters
GWN: Jed Bradley (1-0, 1.50 ERA)
BUF: Scott Copeland (3-1, 2.30 ERA)
(67-59) Mississippi Braves 0, (65-62) Biloxi Shuckers 5
- Ozzie Albies, 2B: 0-4, .324/.397/.448
- Dustin Peterson, DNP: .288/.348/.441
- Connor Lien, CF: 0-3, .234/.316/.418
- Michael Mader, SP: 7 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 0.90 ERA
Despite the strength of perhaps the strongest starting rotation in the minor leagues, Mississippi has begun to falter down the stretch of this playoff run (in true Braves collapse fashion). Most of this is due to the anemic offensive output, which since the call up of Dansby Swanson has scored a total of 7 runs in 7 games. From top to bottom the lineup just took the week off from work, and a seemingly insurmountable advantage in the division has dwindled to 3.5, though with second place being the first half winner Pensacola the playoffs go to the runner up. You can read the rules here. Basically, if Mobile at 4 games back in the second half or Biloxi 2.5 games back for the full season doesn’t catch Mississippi, they’ll be in the playoffs. Anyway, Mississippi managed 6 runners tonight, 3 of those being Jake Schrader walks and the others scattered hits from Johan Camargo, Willians Astudillo, and Joey Meneses.
Michael Mader was against phenomenal for Mississippi, and after three games has a 0.90 ERA since joining Mississippi. Mader has only allowed 2 walks in 20 innings with Mississippi, while striking out 17 batters. AJ Minter was surprisingly bad and allowed 4 earned runs and only recorded 2 outs. That is the first time in 28 games this season he has failed to complete a full inning, the first time he’s allowed multiple runs, just the second time he’s allowed a run at all, his second time walking multiple batters, and only the 5th time he has finished an appearance with no strikeouts.
Next Game: 8/25 @ (65-62) Biloxi Shuckers 7:40 PM ET
Probable Starters
MIS: Max Povse (4-0, 2.45)
BLX: Jorge Lopez (1-3, 4.67 ERA)
(45-83) Carolina Mudcats 1, (73-55) Myrtle Beach Pelicans 2
Travis Demeritte, 2B: 2-5, 2B, RBI, .200/.346/.400
Kade Scivicque, C: 0-3, BB .276/.321/.369
Braxton Davidson, RF: 1-4, BB, .224/.338/.366
Wes Parsons, SP: 7 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 4.01 ERA
The Mudcats lost again, which is the 19th time in the last 20 games. For reference, Rome has lost 18 times since July 3. The Mudcats actually churned out a lot of baserunners, 10 hits, 5 walks, and a hit by pitch gives the exact number, but still managed to only score 1 run. Carolina had at least one runner on base in every single inning, but only Travis Demeritte’s 5th inning double scored any runs (Keith Curcio was thrown out at home for the third out on that very play).
Now Wes Parsons, that was quite the positive on the day for Carolina. Parsons posted an identical line to Mader, and with the same end result. The 7 innings for Parsons makes this his longest start since June 24, 2014, and he has never completed more than 7. This is the second time in his career he has gone 7 and allowed 1 or fewer runs. Sean McLaughlin and Chad Sobotka combined to complete 2 scoreless innings and send the game to extra innings. In extras, Zach Quintana allowed a run to score in the top of the 10th and Myrtle Beach went on to win.
8/18 vs (73-55) Myrtle Beach Pelicans 7:00 PM ET
Probable Starters
CAR: Caleb Beech (2-8, 4.52 ERA)
MB: Jonathan Martinez (11-6, 4.10 ERA)
(63-65) Rome Braves 7, (54-75) Kannapolis Intimidators 4
Ray-Patrick Didder, CF: 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, BB, SB, Outfield Assist, .272/.386/.384
Austin Riley, 3B: 1-3, 2B, BB, RBI, .263/.319/.461
Kevin Josephina, 2B: 3-5, RBI, 2 SB, .271/.264/.393
Mike Soroka, SP: 6 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 3.11 ERA
The hottest team in the system rolled out their 7th straight win, and with Augusta’s loss moved a game and a half ahead for first place. Ray-Patrick Didder had a strong all around game, which culminated with his 6th home run of the year in the 7th inning. Didder also threw out a runner at second base and stole his 36th base of the season. Anfernee Seymour had 2 hits in the game and stole his 40th base of the season. Austin Riley extended his hitting streak to 9 games, and he has now 31 extra base hits in 56 games since the all star break.
Mike Soroka allowed 4 runs over his 6 innings, but that seems to be more bad luck than anything. He struck out 6, and of his other 11 outs 10 were by ground out. Oriel Caicedo pitched a scoreless inning of relief after the departure of Soroka. Chase Johnson Mullins came on in the 8th inning to close out the game, and pitched 2 scoreless innings to lower his ERA on the season to 1.69.
Next Game: 8/25 vs (54-75) Kannapolis Intimidators 7:00 PM ET
Probable Starters
ROM: Touki Toussaint (4-8, 4.11 ERA)
KAN: Brannon Easterling (6-3, 2.17 ERA)
(29-29) Danville Braves 4, (28-32) Greeneville Astros 0
Cristian Pache, CF: 1-3, BB, .309/.341/.407
Derian Cruz, SS: 0-5, .205/.224/.329
Brett Cumberland, C: 2-4, RBI, .214/.315/.340
Joey Wentz, SP: 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, 4.79 ERA
Danville scored early in this one (1 in the first, 2 in the second, 1 in the 4th), and that was all that they would need as the pitching attack led by Joey Wentz was fantastic. Good moments have been few for Brett Cumberland so far this season, but he had a multi hit game for the first time since August 9th and has hit in 3 straight games. Cristian Pache has not struggled, and continues to not struggled at Danville, though his numbers outside of batting average aren’t fantastic. He’s also 17 which makes those numbers very fantastic.
Joey Wentz was quite strong over 5 innings in by far his best start in Danville. His 7 strikeouts were his highest total of the season, and though his walk total was high it would not be surprising if he is suffering fatigue especially given his history of arm fatigue. This is a major step forward for Wentz. Evertz Orozco pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief, and Adam McCreery did so as well to close out the win for Danville.
Next Game: 8/25 vs (28-32) Greeneville Astros 7:00 PM ET
Probable Starters
DAN: Jeremy Walker (3-1, 1.72 ERA)
GRN: Ben Smith (0-3, 3.03 ERA)