Sunday saw a lot of action. With Mahki Backstrom signing with the Braves to Cristian Pache and Ian Anderson starting in the Futures Game, to the four minor league games on the day.
With all that going on it is almost easy to overlook the amazing performances we saw out of Huascar Ynoa and Jasseel De La Cruz, who both had scoreless starts. We also saw Drew Waters try to carry Mississippi without Pache, and Travis Demeritte and Adam Duvall having huge games with the bat.
Gwinnett Stripers 7, Durham Bulls 0
- Travis Demeritte, LF: 2-3, BB, 3 R, 4 RBI, 2 HR, 1.005 OPS
- Adam Duvall, DH: 2-4, 3 RBI, HR, .930 OPS
- Huascar Ynoa, SP: 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 5.20 ERA
Huascar Ynoa was dominant on Sunday, going seven shutout innings and allowing only two hits without giving up a walk. Ynoa, who struck out four, turned in arguably his best outing of the year at any level as he strengthened his case to either be a part of the Atlanta bullpen or be a sought after trade chip in the next month. Wes Parsons went the final two scoreless innings to combine with Ynoa for the shutout.
Homers carried the offense as two guys combined for three homers and all seven runs batted in. Travis Demeritte led the way going three for four with a walk, hitting his 17th and 18th homers of the year and batting in four runs. Adam Duvall had the other homer, his 26th of the season before the All Star break, and picked up three RBI in his two for four game. When I say homers carried the offense in this one, I really meant it as the rest of the lineup managed one hit outside of these two, a Jack Lopez single.
Probable 7/8 Starter: Off day
Mississippi Braves 10, Biloxi Shuckers 1
- Drew Waters, CF: 4-5, 3 R, 2B, SB, .899 OPS
- Greyson Jenista, LF: 3-4, 4 RBI, HR, .607 OPS
- Jasseel De La Cruz, SP: 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 10 K, 2.92 ERA
As great as that Huascar Ynoa start was in Gwinnett, Jasseel De La Cruz may have matched it in Mississippi. JDLC went one less inning of scoreless baseball, giving up two hits and two walks more than what Ynoa did- but he also racked up 10 strikeouts to the four from Ynoa in one less inning of work. This drops JDLC’s season long ERA to 2.55 over 17 starts(nine here in Mississippi). It’s fair to wonder where he could have been had he not suffered an injury last year, as this breakout seemed to be on the way a year ago has finally occurred this year with JDLC fully healthy. After two scoreless innings from Andres Santiago, Jordan Harrison gave up the lone run against Mississippi pitching while finishing off the game in the ninth inning.
With Cristian Pache in Cleveland, Drew Waters got the start in center and put the team on his back, going four for five with a double, steal, and three runs scored. Greyson Jenista went three for four with a homer and four RBI. The other outfielder in this game was Tyler Neslony, who ended up going three for four himself and finishing a homer short of the cycle. Ray-Patrick Didder got the chance to lead off, and finished two for five while Daniel Lockhart came off the bench to collect three RBI. William Contreras went one for four in the win.
Probable 7/8 Starter: TBD
Florida Fire Frogs- PPD Rain
Who could have ever guessed another Florida game gets rained out?
Probable 7/8 Starter: Hayden Deal
Rome Braves 4, Asheville Tourists 1
- Justin Dean, DH: 0-2, 2 BB, 2 R, 2 SB, .847 OPS
- Braden Shewmake, SS, 2-4, 2 RBI, 2 2B, 1.122 OPS
- Dilmer Mejia, SP: 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 2.07 ERA
Dilmer Mejia got the start and went seven strong innings, giving up just one run on five hits while striking out two. William Woods earned the save by pitching two scoreless innings of relief, giving up just one hit and striking out two.
Justin Dean helped the offense as much as anyone in this one, going hitless in two at bats but walking twice and scoring a pair of runs as he stole his 25th and 26th bases of the season. Braden Shewmake went two for four with a pair of doubles. Shea Langeliers had a double and an RBI, while the recently signed Drew Campbell was one for three with a run and picked up an RBI.
Probable 7/8 Starter: Off day
Burlington Royals 3, Danville Braves 1
- Willie Carter, LF: 2-3, BB, SB, .903 OPS
- Cody Milligan, 2B: 2-5, 2B, .699 OPS
- Brandon Parker, RF: 2-5, 2B, RBI, .663 OPS
The start went to Alger Hodgson, who gave up a pair of runs over a pair of innings and took the loss. He was followed by Albinson Volquez, who gave up a run over three and two third innings, and then three and a third perfect innings out of Alex Aquino to finish this game off.
The offense was led by three guys who each had two hits apiece. Willie Carter went two for three with a walk and stole his fifth base of the season, while Cody Milligan and Brandon Parker each went two for five with a double. Ray Hernandez added a double, and Cody Birdsong had the only other Danville hit. Bryce Ball was hitless in three at bats, but did draw a walk.
Probable 7/8 Starter: Alec Barger