Wednesday saw some interesting things happen, as Joey Wentz had a scoreless start, Tristan Beck returned to the mound, Travis Demeritte raised his average over .300, and both of the Mississippi outfielders had quality days at the plate.
Charlotte Knights 9, Gwinnett Stripers 6
- Travis Demeritte, RF: 2-5, 2B, R, .991 OPS
- Rafael Ortega, LF: 2-5, HR, 4 RBI, .890 OPS
- Huascar Ynoa, SP: 3.2 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 5 BB, 3 K, 6.85 ERA
- Wes Parsons, RP: 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 1.74 ERA
Huascar Ynoa got the start and looked great early, but after giving up a run in the second he was tagged for four runs in the third and then another in the fourth to charge him with six runs in three and two thirds. Ynoa allowed seven hits and five walks while striking out three hitters. Wes Parsons folllwed and didn’t allow a run over three and a third, while striking out three, but Dan Winkler allowed three runs over his lone inning of work.
Rafael Ortega was the standout, going two for five with four RBI, and picking up his 15th homer of the season. Travis Demeritte singled, doubled, and stole a base while raising his batting average over .300. Ryan LaMarre also added a single, double, and steal. Jonathan Morales got the start at catcher and picked up a pair of walks.
Probable 6/27 Starter: TBD
Mississippi Braves 7, Jackson Generals 1
- Cristian Pache, LF: 1-for-4, R, BB, .869 OPS
- Drew Waters, CF: 1-for-3, BB, RBI, .901 OPS
- Riley Unroe, SS: 2-for-3, 2B, 2 R, BB, 2 RBI, .729 OPS
- Ryan Casteel, 1B: 2-for-3, 2 R, BB, RBI, .884 OPS
- Joey Wentz, SP: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 8 K, 5.05 ERA
Joey Wentz went six shutout innings and gave up three hits and four walks while striking out eight and even picked off one of the Dbacks top prospects at first base(Daulton Varsho). From what I was told his velocity was in the low 90s, though he touch 95 while struggling with command a bit. Jason Hursh allowed the run to score during his inning of work, then Jordan Harrison went two perfect innings to finish this one off.
Ryan Casteel, Alejandro Salazar, and Riley Unroe all had two hits in this game, though all were singles except one Unroe double along with a steal from him, and the trio collected five RBI. In five trips to the plate Cristian Pache walked and doubled, while Drew Waters singled and walked over four trips up. Greyson Jenista went one for three with a triple and a walk and picked up a pair of RBI.
Probable 6/27 Starter: Jasseel De La Cruz and TBD
Palm Beach Cardinals 8, Florida Fire Frogs 3
- Riley Delgado, SS: 2-4, .712 OPS
- Trey Harris, 1-4, RBI, .907 OPS
- Kevin Josephina, 3B: 2-4, 2B, 3B, .703 OPS
- Hayden Deal, SP: 5 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 2.43 ERA
Hayden Deal had one of his worst starts of the year, and by calling it one of his worst starts it should show you just how good he’s been since it wasn’t that bad. Deal gave up four runs over five innings on five hits and three walks and only struck out one batter. The game really got away from the Fire Frogs when Troy Bacon allowed four runs in two thirds of an inning to follow Deal, though we did see two and a third scoreless innings of relief from Brandon White, who struck out four of the nine outs he recorded. Sean McLaughlin pitched a scoreless inning and picked up two strikeouts as well.
The offense was led by Kevin Josephina, who doubled and tripled in four at bats with an RBI. He along with Riley Delgado, who singled twice, were the multi-hit guys in this game. Trey Harris singled in four at bats and picked up one of the three RBI. Brett Langhorne had the other RBI.
Probable 6/27 Starter: Matt Hartman
Charleston RiverDogs 3, Rome Braves 1
- Jeremy Fernandez, LF: 1-4, 2B, R, .673 OPS
- Greg Cullen, 2B: 1-2, 2B, BB, .778 OPS
- Odalvi Javier, SP: 7 IP, 6 H, 3 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 5 K, 4.27 ERA
Odalvi Javier went seven strong innings by giving up three runs- just two earned, on six hits and a walk while striking out five. He was relieved by Luis Mora who went a pair of innings, allowing just one walk and striking out two.
There wasn’t much offense as a Greg Cullen walk and double and a Jeremy Fernandez double are all we have to talk about on a day with one run and four hits as a team. Griffin Benson picked up the lone RBI, his 42nd of the season, while the other two hits came from Jose Bermudez and Ariel Montesino.
Probable 6/27 Starter: Dilmer Mejia
Danville Braves 4, Blueville Blue Jays 2
- Beau Philip, SS: 1-4, RBI, SB
- Cody Birdsong, 3B: 1-4, 2B, 3 RBI
- Mitch Stallings, SP: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 11 K
Mitch Stallings pitched the best game of his pro career, going six scoreless innings and allowing only two hits without any walks while striking out 11 batters to pick up the win. In relief both Alger Hodgson and Javier Ciriaco allowed a run a piece over the final three innings of the game.
After a slow start to his pro career, Beau Philip picked up the first hit, RBI, and steal of his career. Cody Birdsong ended up the hero as he doubled with the bases loaded to pick up three RBI, which really ended up winning the game for the Braves. Willie Carter went two for four, while Michael Mateja went two for three with a steal. Bryce Ball was held hitless in three at bats, but he walked and scored a run.
Probable 6/27 Starter: TBD
GCL Red Sox 1, GCL Braves 0
- Vaughn Grissom, SS: 1-3, BB
- Kadom Morton, CF: 0-3, BB
- Tristan Beck, SP: 4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
After a long layoff Tristan Beck returned Wednesday with a GCL rehab start and went one out shy of five innings, giving up no runs on a pair of hits and pair of walks and striking out three. Kasey Kalich, Darius Vines, and Ricky DeVito all made their pro debuts, going an inning apiece with two strikeouts each from Kalich and Vines and one from DeVito, and only Vines allowing a run.
Vaughn Grissom singled and walked to led the offense on a quiet day. The only other hits were Luidemid Rojas and Winston Cerrato singles, Kadon Morton drew a walk to reach base for the first time.
Probable 6/27 Starter: Off day