Bethancourt Stays Hot, Parraz, Weaver, And Dalfonso Have Big Days, And Junge And Briceno Pick Up Wins In Thursday's Atlanta Braves Minor League Action

Christian Bethancourt followed up yesterday's fine game with another, Joey Tersoslavich broke out of a slump, Jordan Parraz continues to dominate the International League, Matt Weaver and Jakob Dalfonso had 3 hit performances, and Eric Junge and Rafael Briceno picked up wins with solid pitching performances.

Gwinnett Braves 3, Charlotte Knights 1

• Luis Durango CF 2-3, 3B, BB, SB (9), .262 AVG
• Joey Terdoslavich DH 2-4, 2B, .218 AVG
• Jordan Parraz RF 3-4, 2B, Of Assist, .382 AVG
• Eric Junge 7 IP, 1 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 5 K, W (3), 3.52 ERA
• Jason Rice 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 0 K, 2.00 ERA
• Jaye Chapman 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K, SV (2), 1.59 ERA

Joey Terdoslavich had a 2 hit day that included his third double of the year. After suffering through a 0-14 stretch, he's gone 3-8 in his last 2 games. After going 0-4 yesterday to end his 7 game hitting streak, Jordan Parraz had 3 hits in today's game, upping his average to a team leading .382. He's also leading the team in games played (21), runs (13), hits (29), total bases (37), OBP (.434), slugging (.487), and OPS (.921). Luis Durango reached base 3 times, and in his last 3 games he's gone 7-12. Eric Junge picked up his third win of the year by only allowing 1 run over 7 innings. In his last 3 starts, he's allowed just 3 runs in 18 innings. Jaye Chapman picked up his second save of the year by striking out 2 over a hitless innings. The 24 year old righty has tossed 9 scoreless innings over his last 7 appearances, striking out 11 in the process.

The G-Braves will now head to Toledo, where Yohan Flande will start the series opener.

Mississippi Braves 4, Huntsville Stars 5

• Christian Bethancourt C 2-4, .262 AVG
• Cory Harrilchak RF 2-4, 2B, 3 RBI, .216 AVG
• Zeke Spruill 6 IP, 5 ER, 5 H, 4 BB, 2 K, 4.20 ERA
• Andrew Russell 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K, 0.00 ERA
• Ryan Buchter 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K, 2.79 ERA

Cory Harrilchak did the bulks of the damage for the M-Braves, driving in 3 runs with a bases clearing double in the sixth. Christian Bethancourt followed up yesterday's 3 hit day with a 2 hit performance today, making him 5-9 with 2 RBI and 2 steals in those games. Andrelton Simmons went 0-3 to end his 5 game hitting streak, but he did drive in a run with a sacrifice fly. Zeke Spruill had a poor start, allowing 3 walks and 5 runs in 6 innings of work. He had another poor start on the 16th, allowing 7 runs in 6 innings, but in his other 3 starts he's only allowed 2 runs in 17 innings. Andrew Russell tossed a scoreless inning, giving him 10.2 scoreless over 9 appearances this year. After allowing 3 runs in 1.1 innings in his first appearance of the season, Ryan Buchter has tossed 8.1 scoreless innings over 7 appearances.

Sean Gilmartin will look to pick up his first win of the season tomorrow.

Lynchburg Hillcats 5, Carolina Mudcats 8

• Matt Lipka CF 2-4, BB, .224 AVG
• Chris Garcia 1B 1-3, HR (1), RBI, BB, .323 AVG
• Matt Weaver 3B 3-4, 3B, HR (2), 3 RBI, .444 AVG
• JR Graham 5 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 3 K, 3.13 ERA

JR Graham tossed 5 scoreless innings to start the game, then came out in the bottom of the 6th in heavy rain as the umpires attempted to complete the inning and make it an official game so they wouldn't have to have a delay. Graham started the 6th by allowing his lone walk on the day and immediately followed that by allowing a RBI double. At that point the tarp came out, delaying the game for a half hour. Chasen Shreve took the mound when play resumed and allowed Graham's runner to score, and allowed a run of his own. Despite the hard luck runs being added to his tally, Graham has posted a solid 3.13 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP in 23 innings over 4 starts, with his fastball working between 97 and 10 mph. Matt Lipka reached base 3 times today, making him 3-9 with 2 walks in his last 2 games. Matt Weaver hit a 2 run double in the second and homered off the foul pole in the sixth, making him an impressive 8018 with 2 doubles, a triple, 2 homers, and 4 RBI in limited action this season.

Aaron Northcraft will take the mound as the Hillcats begin a series in Frederick tomorrow.

Rome Braves 6, Hagerstown Suns 2

• Edison Sanchez LF 1-3, BB, .200 AVG
  
• Jakob Dalfonso DH 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI, .750 AVG
• Rafael Briceno 6 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K, W (2), 3.42 ERA
• John Cornely 1.1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 3 BB, 2 K, 3.52 ERA

After allowing the Suns to score 24 runs yesterday, the R-Braves were able to hold them to just 2 runs today, with Rafael Briceno picking up the win by giving up just 1 run over 6 innings. In his last start, the 21 year old righty allowed 6 runs over 6 innings, but otherwise he's been very good, allowing 3 runs in 17.2 innings in his other 3 starts. For the season, he has a 3.42 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. Jakob Dalfonso joined the team today after being sent down from Lynchburg, and made an immediate splash, with a 3 hits, 2 RBI day. The 22 year old, a 2011 South Atlantic League All-Star, was 4-18 with a walk in 5 games for Lynchburg this year. Edison Sanchez singled and walked, and in his last 5 games he's gone 6-17 with a double and 4 RBI.

David Filak will start the series finale tomorrow evening.