Gwinnett Stripers 5, Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs 4
- Travis Demeritte, LF: 0-3, 3 BB, 2 K
- Sean Kazmar, 1B, 2-4, RBI, BB, K
- Rafael Ortega, CF: 2-5, 2B, 3 RBI
- Alex Jackson, C: 1-5, 3 K
- Patrick Weigel, SP: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 ER (1 R), 3 BB, 4 K
- Wes Parsons, RP: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Credit to Patrick Weigel. He’s been struggling with his control for the season (to be expected) and hasn’t looked great. However, this is one of those gutsy performances that will likely get glossed over. Weigel wasn’t perfect as his control came and went just like it has in previous games. However, when he needed a pitch to make an out, he got it. His fastball is still down from before TJS, sitting right at 91, but hit 94 a couple of times. Wes Parsons pitched 3 shoutout innings and has been looking great lately. Might not be much longer before he gets recalled. Jose De Paula was put in a save situation and ended up giving up 2 runs that tied the game. In extras, Connor Johnstone pitched both innings earning a blown save and eventually the win. Extra innings are a bit difficult when you have a runner that starts the inning at second base.
For a team that scored 5 runs, it was a quiet 5 runs. The Stripers have made it the norm to crush home runs every game. Today, no home runs and just 2 extra base hits. Travis Demeritte got pitched around most of the game and he picked up 3 walks. Rafael Ortega had the big game by driving in 3 runs and also scored the game winning run.
Probable 6/14 Starter: Kyle Wright
Mobile Bay Bears 2, Mississippi Braves 1
- Cristian Pache, CF: 1-3, HR, RBI, BB, CS
- Drew Waters, LF: 1-4, 2 K, CS
- Tucker Davidson, SP: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 0 ER (1 R), 2 BB, 10 K
- Jeremy Walker, RP: 2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Tucker Davidson was a star today. The first thing he did was strike out uber prospect Jo Adell. Although a run did score later on in the inning, it was unearned, and Davidson ended up striking two more batters. He would strike out the side again in the 4th inning. In the 5th inning he clearly ran out of gas as he allowed two runners to reach base. Thomas Burrows picke him up by striking out the next two batters. Unfortunately, all that great pitching came to a halt in the 8th inning. While Jeremy Walker has been great this year, he clearly didn’t have his best stuff tonight and ultimately gave up the game winner.
The Braves offense was very quiet as they managed just 3 hits and just 5 base runners all game. All the excitment came on the 4th pitch of the game as Cristian Pache hit a lead off home run, his 8th on the season and 4th in the past 10 games. The power is really showing up in game and he’s continuing to draw walks. On top of that he hasn’t struck out in 5 straight games. Drew Waters did his thing by getting an opposite field single that extended his hitting streak to 9 and on base streak to 21. Greyson Jenista and William Contreras continue to struggle since their promotions as both are hitting .095 through their first 6 games.
Probable 6/14 Starter: Jasseel De La Cruz
Florida Fire Frogs - PPD
Rome Braves 7, Augusta GreenJackets 4
- Jeremy Fernandez, CF: 3-5, 2 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, 3 R, K
- Greg Cullen, 2B: 2-3, HR, RBI, 2 R, BB
- Logan Brown, C: 2-4, RBI, BB, K
- Trey Riley, SP: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
It wasn’t too long ago that Jeremy Fernandez had a coming out party going a perfect 5-5. Today, he really helped carry this Braves offense collecting 3 extra base hits. He was driving in runs and scoring runs. Greg Cullen had been struggling lately, especially with strikeouts, but came up big today hitting his 4th home run of the season. Cullen did what he does best and that’s get on base, which he did three times. Hopefully he’s starting to heat up with the bat. There were several other players that swung a good bat today too like Logan Brown had a pair of hits and an RBI.
The bullpen came up huge today and really salvaged this game. Trey Riley didn’t make it out of the first inning as his struggles continued. When he wasn’t walking batters, he ended up giving up hard contact as both hits were doubles. After his quick exit, Dilmer Mejia ended up pitching 6 innings of shutout baseball. Mejia is a guy with starter experience, but has exclusively been used as a long reliever this season. This is by far the most he’s pitched in a game this season and he did a fantastic job. He’s actually been very good this season in relief posting a 0.97 WHIP and striking out a batter per inning. Both Luis Mora and Jake Higginbotham pitched a scoreless inning to pick up the win and save respectively.
Probable 6/14 Starter: Oldavi Javier