Louisville 3, Gwinnett 4
- B. Canizares 2-4 K
- C. Burke 1-3 HR(1), 3 RBI, BB, K
Gwinnet is now 42-35 and sits just a half game out of first place in their division with Norfolk and Durham both in a virtual tie at the top. Should be an interesting race to the finish for the G-Braves who have played really well on the road but are a game under .500 at home.
Birmingham 3, Mississippi 1 - Suspended in the 3rd
Myrtle Beach 3, Lynchburg 6
- F. Freeman 0-2 3 BB
- J. Heyward 2-5 BB, K
- C. Johnson 1-3 2B, RBI, BB
The good thing about playing in the low minors is your team gets a reset at the halfway point of the season. After an abysmal first half of the season the Pelicans are off to a 2-1 start to the second half of the season. This team has tons of talent with Jason Heyward, Frederick Freeman and Cody Johnson ancoring the lineup. The problem is the back half of the lineup is a vacuum. The hit like 3 consecutive FYF's. Actually they are much worse. A bullpen implosion lost the game for Eric Cordier in this one.
Augusta 7, Rome 3
- L. Sumoza 2-4
- M. Kennelly 3-4 HR(1), 2 RBI
- E. Spruill 6IP 8H 6R 2BB 5K
Zeke Spruill was absolutely dealing in this game until the 6th ininng. Only one of the runs he allowed in this game was earned. In the 6th he intentionally walked the bases loaded with 1 out and got the double play ball to the shortstop who then promptly threw it away. He got another ground ball on the next play and they got the man at home, but he gave up a grand slam to the next batter. His defense really has killed him this season. Zeke looked great in the All Star game the otherr night and I will probably get my pictures up tomorrow or Monday. I still have some editing to do. Also I am happy to see Matt Kennelly demoted to Rome. I couldn't fathom why they had skipped him to Myrtle Beach to start the season when he only had 10 game in Rome last year. I know they are high on him, and we have some serious depth at catcher right now, but starting him in the Carolina League seemed like an out of the ordinary move for the Braves. I think he can really succeed in Rome and build his confidence for next season to maybe move quickly.
Danville 6, Greenville 12
- LV Ware 2-4 BB
- R. Hefflinger 2-5 2 RBI, K
- R. Spanjer-F 2-4 2B, 2 RBI
The Danville Braves finally lost a game though not because they finally stopped hitting. The offense put up another 14 hits and LV Ware is hitting .500 through his first 5 games and Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg is hitting .600. I have to say I am impressed so far considering he has never played any baseball outside of South Africa. He is 21 so I would think he will get a call up pretty quick if he keeps even half this pace. Ware was demoted from Rome earlier in the season after not hitting at all, but he has come back with a vengeance since the Appy Season has started.
GCL Pirates 8, GCL Braves 9
- J. Linger 2-5 2B, 3B
- R. Odreman 2-5 2B, HR(4), 2 RBI, K
- M. Kramer 3-4 HR(1)
More offense from the Braves rookie clubs. Robert Odreman has been unconscious so far this season. He has 6 hits in 17 at bats so far and they have all been for extra bases. He is slugging 1.235 so far, but he does have 6 strike outs in his 17 ABs. I have looked all the way back to 1991 and I can't find any GCL Braves player who ever hit more than 8 homers. Another key Odreman has going for him is that he is only 20 years old which isn't crazy old for the GCL, especially when his hitting like this. If Riaan Spanjer gets moved up to Rome expect to see Odreman to immediately take his place. Or maybe they both get moved to Rome. Who knows, we are only 4-5 games in.