Sunday was not a great day down on the farm, and without a crazy comeback in a wild game by Gwinnett the day actually would have been even worse. The offensive explosion by Gwinnett saved the system a Sunday sweep with what looked to be a pair of non-competitive games- until the Stripers made a massive comeback.
Gwinnett Stripers 13, Charlotte Knights 12
- Drew Waters, CF: 2-6, 2 R, RBI, 2B, SB, .256/.349/.409
- Travis Demeritte, RF: 4-5, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB, SB, .333/.448/.708
- Johan Camargo, 3B: 3-6, 3 R, 2 RBI, HR, .313/.408/.527
- Alex Jackson, DH: 2-5, 2 R, RBI, 2B, .269/.337/.667
- William Contreras, C: 3-6, R, 5 RBI, 2 2B, .429/.487/.829
Playing a loaded Charlotte lineup featuring a rehabbing Eloy Jimenez and Yermin Mercedes among others, Gwinnett was in for a wild game on Sunday. The Stripers were down 11-3 through six innings, but rattled off 10 straight runs, including six in the top of the ninth, to win this one.
It goes to say the pitching struggled as to be expected in a 13-12 game. Starter Jose Rodriguez gave up eight runs(six earned) over his five innings while Ty Tice allowed three in the inning that followed Rodriguez. Dylan Lee and Yoan Lopez would pitch scoreless innings before Jay Flaa allowed the final Charlotte run to score in the bottom of the ninth.
While the pitching struggled the bats were out on Sunday. All of the big names in the lineup had big days. Drew Waters went 2-for-6 with a double and a steal, William Contreras went 3-for-6 with a pair of doubles and batted in five runs, Travis Demeritte went 4-for-5, and Johan Camargo went 3-for-6 with a homer. In total eight of the nine spots in the lineup had hits, seven scored runs, and six had at least one run batted in.
Next Game: 7/20 vs Norfolk @ 7:05 PM ET
Probable Starters
Both TBD
Tennessee Smokies 6, Mississippi Braves 3
- Shea Langeliers, DH: 2-4, 2 RBI, 2B, .249/.338/.508
- Justin Dean, CF: 1-4, R, SB, .254/.372/.376
- Trey Harris, RF: 1-4, R, .270/.339/.363
- Hayden Deal, SP: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 4 K, 4.00 ERA
Hayden Deal got the start and had a solid outing, giving up a pair of runs over five innings. Deal actually pitched even better than the final line as he went scoreless through four before giving up a two run homer in the fifth and final inning of his day. Sean McLaughlin followed and allowed a run in his inning, while Emmanuel Ramirez allowed three runs during his inning. Will Latcham finished this one off with a scoreless inning of work.
The offense saw Shea Langeliers go 2-for-4 with a double and got a homer out of Jalen Miller, but was mostly quiet on the day. Justin Dean and Trey Harris each singled, with Dean stealing his 19th base of the year, and Drew Lugbauer went 1-for-3 with a walk.
Next Game: 7/20 vs Biloxi @ 7:35 PM ET
Probable Starters
Mississippi-TBD, Biloxi-Noah Zavolas
Greensboro Grasshoppers 7, Rome Braves 5
- Michael Harris, CF: 1-4, R, 2 RBI, 3B, .292/.328/.438
- Jesse Franklin, LF: 1-3, R, BB, .269/.339/.572
- Rusber Estrada, C: 2-4, R, 2 RBI, HR, .212/.354/.545
- Cody Milligan, 2B: 2-3, R, BB, 2B, .289/.366/.355
- Kasey Kalich, RP: 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 3.18 ERA
Sunday was a mixed game from Rome as Jake McSteen got the start and allowed four runs over his five innings. Marrick Crouse allowed a run in his inning of work, before Kasey Kalich came in to allow a solo homer during his two innings and Mitch Horacek allowed a run during his inning. Four pitchers appeared for Rome, and each one gave up at least one run.
Things were better at the dish, especially for Rusber Estrada, who went 2-for-4 with a homer, and Cody Milligan, who went 2-for-3 with a walk and a double. The prospects in the lineup had solid days too as Michael Harris went 1-for-4 with a triple and a pair of RBI. Jesse Franklin went 1-for-3 and drew a walk to reach base in half of his plate appearances on the day.
Next Game: 7/20 @ Bowling Green @ 7:35 PM ET
Probable Starters
Both TBD
Charleston Riverdogs 14, Augusta GreenJackets 2
- Stephen Paolini, CF: 0-2, R, 2 BB, .164/.
- Jared Johnson, SP: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 4 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 7.79 ERA
- Gabriel Rodriguez, RP: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K, 10.35 ERA
This was an ugly game that started and ended that way. Jared Johnson got the start and struggled with his command, and the defense behind him did him no favors either. The highlight of the day from the pitching staff had to be Gabriel Rodriguez giving up a run during his inning and two thirds, but recording a strikeout for each of the five outs he recorded. If not him, two and a third scoreless from Ben Dum would take the title of Sunday’s pitching MVP.
The offense wasn’t much better than the pitching staff on Sunday. Stephen Paolini went 0-for-2 but did draw a pair of walks. Cody Birdsong going 1-for-3 with a walk was the only other GreenJacket to join Paolini in getting on base multiple times on Sunday.
Next Game: 7/20 @ Columbia @ 7:05 PM ET
Probable Starters
Both TBD