Wednesday featured a five-game slate, although only one of those included a win as the Braves minor league system had a bit of a rough day. I’m still on the road for work so today’s daily report is a bit shortened.
(33-35) Gwinnett Stripers
L, 2-1 vs. Norfolk
W, 4-3 vs. Norfolk
SP, K. Wright – (L), 6 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, HR
SP, T. Burrows – IP, 3 BB, 2 K
CF/DH, C. Pache – 2 for 6, 2 HR, 2 RBI
1B/3B, J. Morales – 2 for 5, 2B, RBI
C, W. Contreras – 1 for 3, HR, RBI
LF/CF, D. Waters – 1 for 7, 2B, RBI
Gwinnett lost both its games yesterday, and there really wasn’t any one player that just played exceptionally well, other than Cristian Pache who slugged a homer in each contest. His first one in Game 1 came off a down-the-middle fastball…
And Pache’s long ball in Game 2 was off a breaking ball…
The home runs were Pache’s first since way back on July 8. In fact, up until Wednesday, the Braves top prospect had only three XBHs in his last 15 games, so the power stroke is certainly welcomed.
After getting some rest in the first game, William Contreras stayed hot with a deep homer in Game 2, giving him four long balls so far in just 10 games with the Stripers. Contreras is crazy-hot at the plate right now.
Kyle Wright started Game 1, and though he earned the loss, he pitched much better than he did his last time out with the Stripers. The homer he allowed in the second inning was really the only blemish, but Gwinnett’s offense just couldn’t produce much on offense, even though they out-hit Norfolk by a count of 7-5.
(40-28) Mississippi Braves
L, 14-3 vs. Biloxi
SP, V. Vodnik – (L), 1 â…” IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, HR
2B, J. Miller – 2 for 3, 2 2B, 2 RBI
DH, D. Lugbauer – 2 for 4, 2 2B, R
SS, W. Rijo – 1 for 3, 2B, R
The M-Braves were blown out by the Shuckers last night as Biloxi tallied 20 hits versus Mississippi’s pitchers. Unfortunately, since returning from his injury, righty prospect Victor Vodnik just hasn’t seemed like himself, at least results-wise. Vodnik didn’t make it through the second inning, given his pitch-count was already up 53 after facing only 12 batters. And to make matters worse, the M-Braves bullpen imploded by allowing another 10 runs.
After going hitless in his last eight at-bats, second baseman Jalen Miller provided a bit of a spark by doubling twice in Wednesday’s loss.
(33-35) Rome Braves
L, 4-3 vs. Bowling Green
SP, J. Shuster – 3 â…“ IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB, 4 K
RF, S. Michel – 1 for 3, HR, RBI
C, R. Estrada – 3 for 3, 2 2B, R
RP, C. Huntley – 3 IP, BB, 6 K
Rome dropped another to Bowling Green last night, and unfortunately Jared Shuster’s pitch-count got a little high, keeping him from going too deep into his start. As last year’s first-round pick, the Braves have kept a pretty short leash on him all season so far.
The R-Braves offense wasn’t led by its usual batters on Wednesday, but Shean Michel and Rusber Estrada both had solid games as they combined to finish 4 for 6 with three XBHs at the plate. Each of Beau Philip and Riley Delgado also contributed with an RBI apiece.
As shown above, righty Coleman Huntley pitched a terrific relief appearance last night. The 28-year-old entered to start the sixth and quickly punched out all three batters he faced and then flew through the seventh and eighth in hitless fashion. Huntley is having a solid season with Rome as a reliever/starter.
(28-38) Augusta GreenJackets
L, 7-5 vs. Columbia
SP, J. Estes – (L), 5 â…“ IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 10 K
C, V. De Hoyos – 1 for 3, 2B, 3 RBI
SS, V. Grissom – 1 for 5, 2B, R
1B, B. Horne – 2 for 5, R
RF, W. Carter – 2 for 4, R, BB
Despite a big game from catcher Victor De Hoyos, including a three-run double in the sixth to put Augusta within one run, the GreenJackets lost last night.
Righty Joey Estes got the start on Wednesday, and though he allowed four runs from eight hits, the former 16th round pick tallied 10 punch outs (the second-highest total in a start for him this season). Estes is currently striking out the opposition at a rate of 11.2 K/9.
I caught the Mississippi game at Sevierville Saturday night and this is a good place for my notes:
Spencer Strider came out blazing in the 1st sitting 96 and hitting 99 on the stadium gun. 2 strikeouts and a popup sandwiching a broken bat bloop single.
TN leftie throwing 86-88 slop but MS batters can’t seem to pick it up and keep swinging late. Nobody would time this guy all night (only 4 MS hits)
Strider working change and breaker in in 2nd. I had not seen the breaker — looks slurvy, 78-82. Left one middle-middle for a double but struck out the next 2 to get out of it. Began to attempt to locate the fastball at the knees gloveside (the “Maddux” location) a lot with poor results. Assume work-in-progress.
3rd inning: Great play Shea Langeliers! dribbler 20+ feet down the 3rd base line, got the man by at least a step. I have never seen a catcher make that play. 3 weak groundouts during the game, btw.
Strider’s change is pretty good! 84-86, decent tumble. Left one up to Brennen Davis (about the Cubs only prospect playing in this one) for a homer. Fastball down to 94-95.
4th: Braves mount their only “rally” consisting of a CJ Alexander double and a Riley Unroe walk.
Strider using a true curve this inning, 75-76 with sharp down break. Batters did not touch any of the 6 thrown in 4th and 5th innings.
5th Strider now down to 92-94, still good movement. Missing consistently down and away to righties. gave up 2 more broken bat flares and walked a guy but got out of it with a gutsy 3-2 changeup. I like the way Langeliers calls a game!
6th: First time I have seen “the other” Brandon White in 2 years. Looks to have put on some weight and is throwing much harder — 94-95 — but seems not to have the same pinpoint command as before.
Alexander makes a 3-base error that allows the games 2nd run. Gets out of a 2-on-no-out mess in the 7th with a couple of strikeouts on offspeed stuff.
9th: My first look at Indigo Diaz and left unimpressed despite the hype. Every one of his 24 pitches was a fastball at 94 (scouting reports had led me to believe he worked 95-96 with the occasional 98+ in the tank). He walked one guy and had 2 other deep counts getting one strikeout and 2 medium flyballs.
I was disappointed Shewmake didn’t play. Justin Dean had Freddie’s luck, scalding 3 line drives and having one single to show for it. Need some lift in that swing!
Thanks, Clint.
Any inside scoop of deals in the works, Ryan? Anything new from your barber, Smitty? A bat and two relievers, maybe three, on the horizon?
AA, do something! Please!
Smutty really needs a haircut.
@3 He’s only Smutty when he’s had a few drinks.
Two for 23 no more. (This hurts me.) Good job, Dansby.
Dansby… boom!
@3 and 4–sorry Smitty! Sometimes I can blame autocorrect, but I think this one was all on me.
That was huge by Lt. Dans
Huh? Did Chip just say (while talking about the umpire being on the field when Bobby Cox broke John McGraw’s record for career ejections) that McGraw was the former owner & manager of the Philadelphia Athletics? I doubt most broadcasters know who John McGraw was, but it’s better not to mention him at all than to confuse him with Connie Mack.
Is it time to admit that Charlie Morton is an ace?
No drama, please. Limit the damage, Charlie.
Rays just traded for Nelson Cruz and RHP Calvin Faucher. They gave up their 10th and 17th ranked prospects.
Good job, Luke. Get them back, Hammers.
@9–he did say that. A casual fan might not know that, but someone in Chip’s position should not make that mistake.
How does the reliever contest work if the reliever gives up a run, but it doesn’t count on his record? Luke Jackson gave up a run that was on base when he came in the game so it was scored on Morton’s record.
I gave up TV to get rid of Skip’s boy. The radio team is much easier on the ears.
Snit’s managing the pen well tonight, isn’t he?
Well, Luke stuck the landing so he gets extra credit from the french judge.
@15 – That’s Morton’s run.
Something’s still rotten in Denmark, but for one blessed evening, I can’t recall just what it is.
Recapped