Sunday was a day of themes. We saw some mostly great starting pitching, some tough days with the bats, and plenty of rain in the system. We did get strong starts out of both Kyle Muller and Jasseel De La Cruz as the highlights of the day.
Durham Bulls 6, Gwinnett Stripers 2
- Austin Riley, 1B: 0-3, BB, R, 1.014 OPS
- Rafael Ortega, RF: 1-2, 2 BB, SB, 1.044 OPS
- Bryse Wilson, SP: 4 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 5.68 ERA
This is a time when you can really question the handling of a pitcher in the Braves organization. Bryse Wilson gave up a walk, single, and solo home run through three strong innings, but then came a 43-minute rain delay. Wilson returned to the mound after that long down time, and its clear that it had an effect on him, considering he wasn’t the same pitcher that we saw in the first three innings. Jonathan Aro followed with two more runs allowed over his two frames. The positive on the pitching side came late, as Jonny Venters and Thomas Burrows each went a perfect inning with a pair of strikeouts.
The Stripers also struggled to reach base in this one, outside of Rafael Ortega collecting a single and a pair of walks plus stealing a base. The red hot Austin Riley was hitless in three at bats, but he did draw a walk. More importantly for Riley is the fact he was playing first base, a move which helps improve his versatility for when the eventual call to the show comes.
5/6 Probable Starter: Kolby Allard
Mississippi Braves 1, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 0, 10 innings
- Luis Valenzuela, 3B: 2-3, BB, .489 OPS
- Cristian Pache, CF: 0-3, BB, .913 OPS
- Kyle Muller, SP: 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K, 2.77 ERA
Kyle Muller had a big start, going seven shutout innings, but due to a lack of offense didn’t get the win. Muller surrendered five hits and three walks while striking out four, as he threw 62 of his 103 pitches for strikes. Muller was followed by two scoreless innings from Claudio Custudio and another from Connor Johnstone, as the three combined on the shutout.
As great as the pitching was, the bats performed as if they weren’t there. The Braves managed just two hits across 10 innings, both coming from the bat of Luis Valenzuela, who also walked. Cristian Pache managed a walk in his four trips to the plate. Drew Waters got the day off, though came in late as a pinch hitter and would go on to score the game’s only run in the 10th inning.
5/6 Probable Starter: Patrick Weigel
Tampa Tarpons 2, Florida Fire Frogs 1, 6 innings
- Riley Delgado, 3B: 1-2, BB, .757 OPS
- Drew Lugbauer, 1B: 1-2, 2B, .591 OPS
- Jasseel De La Cruz, SP: 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 9 K, 2.25 ERA
Jasseel De La Cruz followed up a strong debut in the Florida State League with an even better performance here, despite taking the loss. De La Cruz went the distance- only six innings due to rain, giving up two runs on three hits and a pair of walks, while striking out nine batters. This is the De La Cruz we saw in April 2018, before he got hurt and never came back as the same pitcher the rest of the season. With De La Cruz on the right track, he could be a guy that makes a big jump up the midseason rankings.
There wasn’t much to talk about with the bats, as once again a great start didn’t earn the pitcher a win thanks to a rough outing offensively. Riley Delgado with a single and walk in three trips was the top performer, though Drew Lugbauer and Riley Unroe each doubled in the loss.
5/6 Probable Starter: Hayden Deal and TBD
Rome Braves - PPD, Rain
Rome was rained out and will play two against Lakewood today, starting at 4:35 PM with Trey Riley on the mound to face the team he pitched arguably his best game of the year against.
5/6 Probable Starter: Trey Riley and TBD
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