Gwinnett Stripers 3, Durham Bulls 5

Box score

• Travis Demeritte, LF: 0-3, 2 BB, 2 K
• Jose Ortega, DH: 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI
• Jonathan Morales, C: 2-4, 2B, RBI
• Mike Foltynewicz, SP: 5 IP, 8 H, 2 ER (3 R), 2 BB, 7 K

Mike Foltynewicz wasn’t nearly as good as his last start against Indianapolis. He gave up a single and a walk to start the game and then after a couple of strikeouts allowed another single, but Adam Duvall had his back by throwing out the runner at home plate. Shane Carle and Dan Winkler pitched three innings of shutout baseball to keep the game tied heading into the ninth inning. Although Wes Parsons has been really good in Triple-A he ended up blowing the game and taking the loss. The loss today gives the Durham Bulls a 2.5 game lead in the International League South.

All three of the Stripers runs came in the third inning by Jose Ortega and Jonathan Morales. This was truly the rare occasion that the top of the order didn’t do much of anything.

Probable 7/5 Starters: Kolby Allard (6-3, 3.64 ERA) + TBD

Mississippi Braves 3, Biloxi Shuckers 4

Box score

• Cristian Pache, LF: 1-5, 2B
• Drew Waters, CF: 2-4, BB
• William Contreras, C: 0-4, BB
• Riley Unroe, 3B: 3-4, 2B, RBI, K
• Kyle Muller, SP: 4 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K

Mississippi scored three runs between the eighth and ninth innings to tie the game, but all that hard effort was completely wasted. In extras, the Shuckers played a little small ball moving the starting runner at second over and he scored on a sac fly. The Braves decided to just play it straight. William Contreras had a weak pop up to first base while Greyson Jenista and Ray-Patrick Didder struck out to end the game. Not much else to say about the way this one ended.

Kyle Muller once again struggled with command. He’s seen his ERA blow up over the past seven starts going from a 1.98 ERA to 3.64. At some point he’s going to right the ship and go on a crazy run again, so hopefully it’s sooner than later. Muller is still striking out better than a batter per inning, so that’s a small positive to take away right now. Jason Hursh was solid down the stretch pitching the final two innings.

Probable 7/5 Starter: Tucker Davidson (3-5, 2.00 ERA)

Florida Fire Frogs 2, Bradenton Marauders 5

Box score

• Drew Lugbauer, DH: 1-4, HR, RBI, K
• Trey Harris, RF: 1-4, 2 K
• Andrew Moritz, CF: 1-4, 2B
• Brooks Wilson, SP: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER (4 R), 1 BB, 9 K
• Brandon S White, RP: 2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Brooks Wilson was a senior sign and supposed to move fast through the system. He has been really effective of late including a career high in strikeouts tonight with nine. Wilson doesn’t throw hard but he throws strikes. He has walked a total of one batter in his back to back starts. After giving up a run in the first, Wilson was cruising until the 5th inning. Jordan Rodgers started things off with a throwing error that allowed the leadoff runner to get on. Later, Wilson would add another throwing error that allowed two runners to score. Travis Swaggerty would add a third run of the inning with a single to left field. Brandon S White has been very good this year, and though he allowed a run, his ERA sits at 0.97.

The Frogs aren’t knows for their offense, and that continued today. Just seven total base runners. Drew Lugbauer hit a home run for a second straight day. Over his past 10 games he’s hitting .270, which is a far cry from his current .174 avg. Trey Harris has cooled off somewhat with the bat, but he’s still finding ways to contribute as he picked up an outfield assist.

Probable 7/5 Starter: Philip Pfeifer (1-6, 4.35 ERA)

Rome Braves 3, Asheville Tourists 4

Box score

• Justin Dean, CF: 1-4, RBI, BB, 2 K
• Shea Langeliers, C: 1-4, 2B, 2 K
• Braden Shewmake, SS: 1-4, K (2 E)
• Gabriel Noguera, SP: 6.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER (2 R), 3 BB, 9 K

The Rome Braves had a chance in the bottom of the ninth after a throwing error put runners on second and third with two outs, but Justin Dean struck out to end it. The offense wasn’t great, but they were scoring at opportune times. It sure would have been nice to have a walkoff though. This was also Braden Shewmake’s worst game as he hit into a double play in the first inning and committed two throwing errors.

Gabriel Noguera has had a very uneven season, but this was easily the best start of the year. A couple errors allowed some runs to score, but didn’t count against him. Noguera also had a career high nine strikeouts. Tanner Lawson came on in relief and also gave up two unearned runs due to a Brandan Venter throwing error. Despite that Lawson struck out four batters in just over two innings of work.

Probable 7/5 Starter: Jose Olague (6-6, 3.61 ERA)

Danville Braves 8, Princeton Rays 14

Box score

• Bryce Ball, 1B: 2-4, 2 2B
• Brandon Parker, CF: 2-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI
• Charles Reyes, LF: 2-4, HR, 2 RBI
• Cody Milligan, 2B: 1-3, 2 BB, 2 R
• Zach Daniels, SP: 2.1 IP, 10 H, 10 ER (11 R), 0 BB, 2 K

This game was called after just seven innings due to weather, which is too bad, because the Braves were making a bit of a comeback. Zach Daniels got the start but couldn’t get out of the third inning. He gave up at least three runs every inning. Alex Camacho came in next and not only allowed both inherited runners to score, but then gave up three of his own as the Rays piled on eight runs in the third to take a 14-5 lead.

Danville did their best to keep pace with the Rays. Bryce Ball continues his hot hitting with two doubles. Charles Reyes also had two hits including a two-run home run. In general, the top of the order did a great job of getting on base as Cody Milligan & Willie Carter reached base three times and Brandon Parker reached twice. In the end, the Braves couldn’t cash in on every run scoring opportunity as the Rays lead was just too insurmountable.

Probable 7/5 Starter: TBD

GCL Braves 5, GCL Twins 4

Box score

• Michael Harris, CF: 1-3, RBI, BB
• Christian Zamora, LF: 2-4, 2B, 2 K
• Vaughn Grissom, SS: 1-4, K
• Chad Bryant, SP: 2 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
• Cameron Kurz, RP: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

The GCL Braves fell behind 4-0 but rallied in the late innings to defeat the GCL Twins 5-4. Wiston Cerrato hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth to get the scoring started to cut the lead to 4-1. The Braves tied the game in the sixth on run-scoring hits by Michael Harris, Darling Florentino and Christian Zamora. They took the lead for good in the eighth when Brandon Mezquita scored on a wild pitch.

Eudi Asencio allowed one hit over five shutout innings in relief to pick up the victory.

Probable 7/5 Starter: TBD