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Gwinnett got blanked by the Knights, Andrelton Simmons and Sean Gilmartin each had great efforts for the M-Braves, Lynchburg was rained out yet again, and Kyle Kubitza homered to lead Rome.
Gwinnett Braves 0, Charlotte Knights 2
- Ernesto Mejia, 1B: 1-3, BB, K, .290
- Erik Cordier, SP: 4.1 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, L(0-1), 5.19 ERA
- Buddy Carlyle, RP: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 0.00 ERA
- Cory Gearrin, RP: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 0.00 ERA
Continuing what has become a bit of a theme lately, there was really no offense in Gwinnett to talk about today. The G-Braves were only able to muster 4 hits and 2 walks in 9 innings, with Ernesto Mejia being the only batter to reach base more than once. On the other side of the ball, Erik Cordier was extremely hittable, as he allowed 8 hits and 4 walks in only 4.1 innings pitched. Given that many baserunners, I'm actually surprised he was able to limit the damage to two runs. Cordier has been ice cold so far on the year, posting a 5.19 ERA and a WHIP of 2.34 across 4 starts. Buddy Carlyle and Cory Gearrin each had scoreless stints in relief, and neither of them have been scored upon so far this year. Gearrin whiffed two batters, and over his last 5 relief appearances - totaling 8.1 innings - the sidearmer has punched out 13 men while walking only two.
The G-Braves are off tomorrow, but Tim Hudson will take the mound on Tuesday against the Knights, making his final rehab start (barring any setbacks) before rejoining the big league club.
Mississippi Braves 5, Birmingham Barons 2 (10 innings)
- Todd Cunningham, RF: 3-5, R, .286
- Andrelton Simmons, SS: 2-5, 2B, R, 4 RBI, .250
- Phil Gosselin, DH: 1-5, 2B, RBI, 3 K, .277
- Sean Gilmartin, SP: 8 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 3.12 ERA
- Andrew Russell, RP: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, W(1-0), 0.00 ERA
- Mark Lamm, RP: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, S(3), 0.93 ERA
Mississippi won a thriller today, thanks in large part to Andrelton Simmons and Sean Gilmartin. After Gilmartin spotted the Barons two runs in the 4th inning, Simmons hit a two-out, game tying RBI double in the sixth. That was the score when Gilmartin was pulled after the 8th inning and Billy Bullock was brought in to face the Barons in the bottom of the 9th. Bullock got two outs but walked the bases loaded. He was then pulled for Andrew Russell, who stuck out Barons' LF Justin Greene to send the game into extras. In the 10th, Simmons stepped to the plate with men on 2nd and 3rd and - again - two outs, and promptly slapped the go-ahead single into center field. Simmons had been in a 3-29 funk before this game, so hopefully today's clutch hits get him going. Gilmartin had a fantastic start, going 8 strong innings and only allowing 2 runs on 6 hits and a walk. Andrew Russell faced one batter and got the win, and Mark Lamm had a shut down bottom of the 10th for his 3rd save on the young season.
David Hale takes the ball for Mississippi tomorrow as they try to win the series with the Barons.
Frederick Keys @ Lynchburg Hillcats - POSTPONED
What was supposed to be a double header today (making up the game missed yesterday) has now been rescheduled for back to back doubleheaders June 8 and 9. That's a ton of baseball.
Rome Braves 6, Asheville Tourists 1
- Kyle Kubitza, DH: 2-5, HR(4), RBI, 2 R, 3 K, .317
- Fernando De Los Santos, 3B: 2-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI, SB(2), .209
- Felix Marte, RF: 2-5, 2B, 2 K, .228
- Navery Moore, SP: 5 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, W(1-0), 3.21 ERA
- Jean Carlos Gil, RP: 4 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, S(2), 4.09 ERA
Navery Moore and Jean Carlos Gil combined to throw a four-hitter as Rome dominated the rubber match with the Tourists. Kyle Kubitza opened the scoring with a solo shot in the first, and he would finish 2-5 on the day, though he did strike out 3 times. Fernando De Los Santos also had a nice day, going 2-4 with an RBI double and swiping his second base of the season. Navery Moore completely blanked the Tourists, throwing 5 innings of shutout baseball, allowing only 1 hit and 3 walks. He struck out a pair as well on the way to his first win of the year. Jean Carlos Gil came on in the 6th and picked up a workman's save, tossing the last 4 innings and allowing one run on 3 hits and 2 walks.
Rome is off tomorrow. A.J. Holland's turn in the Rome rotation is next unless they decide to shuffle with the off day.