Gwinnett Braves 5, Toledo Mud Hens 3
Box Score
- Rio Ruiz, 3B: 3-4, 2B, run, .250/.303/.429
- Johan Camargo, SS: 2-4, RBI, .299/.333/.448
- Aaron Blair, SP: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 6.26 ERA
Gwinnett backed a good start from Aaron Blair with five runs combined in the 6th and 7th innings to defeat the Mud Hens 5-3. We got the good Aaron Blair on this day after a rough start his last time out as he went 6 innings and gave up mostly soft contact with the notable exception of a solo shot in his last inning as he scattered 6 hits over 6 innings. It starts and ends with fastball command for Blair and he had it working in this game. Caleb Dirks came on in relief and pitched two scoreless innings and despite some hiccups this season, he could be among the top choices (along with Akeel Morris) to get called up to the big leagues if the need arises in the bullpen.
On offense, it was Rio Ruiz who was doing the most work as he had 3 hits including a double. He is hitting .324 over his last 10 games and is starting to draw more walks and get back to the levels we are accustomed to seeing from him. Xavier Avery got Gwinnett on the board with a 2-run shot in the 6th inning which was nice to see as that was just his 4th hit in his last 10 games after a solid start to the season. Johan Camargo continues to hit at AAA as he had two more in this one while Ozzie Albies went hitless with a pair of strikeouts.
Next Game: 5/11 at 10:35 AM vs. Toledo. Probable Starter - Sean Newcomb
Mississippi Braves 5, Mobile Bay Bears 6
Box Score
- Ronald Acuna, CF: 3-4, HR, RBI, 2 runs, BB, SB, .317/.366/.545
- Dylan Moore, SS: 1-4, 2 RBI, .137/.234/.200
- Matt Withrow, SP: 4.1 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, 3.06 ERA
Ronald Acuna homering and collecting three hits in his second straight game (his first two at AA at that) were not enough as Mobile jumped out in front early and beat Mississippi 6-5. This was Matt Withrow’s first truly rough start this season as he got knocked around for 9 hits, 4 walks, and 6 runs. Given his command issues in the past, it is likely he will have games like this from time to time, but overall this season has to be considered a resounding success for him so far. Jesse Biddle and Brad Roney came on in relief and pitched 4.2 combined scoreless innings to keep Mississippi in the game, but Mississippi’s rally late came up just short of stealing a win.
As for the offense, this is Ronald Acuna’s world and we are just living in it. He is now batting a totally sustainable .750 with a 2.278 OPS in his two starts at AA and has homers in back-to-back games. Despite playing a total of 70 games in full season ball as a pro, he now sports a .910 OPS on the season, has been promoted to AA, and is heating up as he has 14 hits in his past 6 games. Dylan Moore has had a rough start to the season but did knock in a pair of runs in this one while Travis Demeritte has now hit safely in 4 straight games. Carlos Franco knocked in Sal Giardina in the 9th inning to get Mississippi within a run before Joey Meneses went down on strikes to end the game.
Next Game: 5/11 at 8 PM vs. Mobile. Probable Starter - Max Fried
Florida Fire Frogs 14, Daytona Tortugas 2
Box Score
- Carlos Castro, DH: 5-5, 3 HR, 8 RBI, .345/.377/.534
- Alex Jackson, C: 2-5, 2 2B, RBI, 2 runs, BB, .300/.355/.600
- Austin Riley, 3B: 2-4, 2B, RBI, 2 BB, 3 runs, .288/.345/.477
- Drew Harrington, SP: 5 IP, 6 H, 2 runs (0 ER), 2 BB, 6 K, 1.88 ERA
Carlos Castro went full-on beast mode in this game as he hit 3 homers and drove in 8 runs as the Fire Frogs demolished Daytona 14-2. Drew Harrington continued his quietly excellent start to the season with 6 strong innings with no earned runs and 6 Ks. The two unearned runs came on miscues from Alex Jackson behind the plate (passed ball in the first, throwing error in the 3rd). Harrington has now given up 0 earned runs in 4 of his past 5 starts and has walked just 5 batters this season to go along with 31 strikeouts in 38.1 innings. Corbin Clouse appears to have gotten back on track after a rough start to the season with another scoreless outing.
On offense, whew lawd Carlos Castro went nuts. Castro failed to record an out as he went 5-5 with 3 homers while driving in 8 runs to basically carry the Fire Frogs to a blow out victory. He now sports a .912 OPS in the early going this season. Alex Jackson continued his good work at the plate despite a rough day behind it with a pair of doubles while Austin Riley continues to rake with another multi-hit game (his 5th in his past 10 games). Five different Fire Frogs players had multi-hit games in this one and 8 of 9 lineup regulars recorded hits.
Next Game: 5/11 at 6:30 PM @ Lakeland. Probable Starter - Ricardo Sanchez
Rome Braves 8, Hagerstown Suns 7 - F/10
Box Score
- Cristian Pache, CF: 3-6, 3B, 4 RBIs, run, SB, .265/.330/.353
- Marcus Mooney, 2B: 3-5, RBI, BB, 2 runs, .264/.340/.299
- Ryan Lawlor, SP: 5 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 3.30 ERA
Rome rallied late to try to steal this game in regulation but the game went to extras where Juan Yepez walked Rome off with an infield single to secure Rome an 8-7 win. Ryan Lawlor had a tough outing as he gave up 5 earned runs in five innings of work, although he is certainly on the short list in terms of guys that could get called up . Thomas Burrows came on and pitched 2 innings of scoreless relief.
On offense, Cristian Pache had a big day with three hits including a triple with 4 RBIs while stealing his 7th base of the season. Juan Yepez has cooled off a bit of late for Rome after a red-hot start, but he provided the run Rome needed with an infield chopper in the bottom of the 10th to score the winning run for Rome. In short, Rome had 6 players with multi-hit games in this one to provide a balanced attack from up and down the lineup. Matt Gonzalez made his season debut after being called up and went 0-5.
Next Game: 5/11 at 10:30 AM vs. Hagerstown. Probable Starter - Bryse Wilson
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