Danville Clinches Playoff Spot, Jurrjens Rehabs, And Rodriguez Debuts In Monday's Atlanta Braves Minor League Action

Lynchburg won the first half division title, so they will be going to the postseason no matter what happens in the second half. They were idle tonight, but Wilmington won their game, giving them a 2.5 game lead over the Hillcats with 7 games to go. Rome was idle tonight, so they maintain their 5 game lead over Asheveill with 7 games to go in their season. Danville clinched a spot in the playoffs tonight, winning their division's wild card spot.

Gwinnett Braves 1, Pawtucket Red Sox 3

• Jack Wilson SS 0-3, .175 AVG
• Lyle Overbay DH 0-3, BB, .188 AVG
• Jair Jurrjens 2 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K, 5.21 ERA
• Daniel Rodriguez 3 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 3 BB, 3 K, 0.00 ERA
• Buddy Carlyle 2.2 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 3 K, 3.11 ERA
• Andy Russell 1.1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 K, 1.96 ERA

Jair Jurrjens made his first rehab appearance with Gwinnett since the 15th, and he allowed 2 earned runs in 2 innings. In his last 2 appearances, he's allowed 5 earned in 4 innings. Daniel Rodriguez, a 27 year old lefty who was 11-5 with a 2.54 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP, and a league leading 135 strikeouts in 117 innings for Salito in the Mexican League this season, made his Braves debut, which was also his US professional debut, and he struck out 3 over 3 hitless innings. He allowed an unearned run on a sacrifice fly after a batter he walked moved around the bases thanks to errors by catcher JC Boscan and Rodriguez himself. In his last 2 appearances, Buddy Carlyle has struck out 8 over 5.2 scoreless innings. After putting up a 2.35 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP in 38.1 innings with Mississippi, 27 year old sidearming Australian righty Andy Russell hasn't had much trouble adjusting to AAA, posting a 1.96 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP in 23 innings with the G-Braves.

Due to the threat of rain from Hurricane Isaac, Tuesday's game against Pawtucket has been moved from 7:05 to 2:05, with Sean Gilmartin scheduled to start.

Mississippi Braves 2, Pensacola Blue Wahoos 3, 10 innings

• Joe Leonard 3B 2-4, 2B, E (11), .263 AVG
  
• Gary Moran 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 2 K, 2.97 ERA
• Billy Bullock 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K, 3.55 ERA

Gary Moran had another solid start, allowing 2 earned runs over 6 innings of work. In his last 2 starts, he's struck out 10 and allowed 2 earned in 13 innings. Billy Bullock had a 11.07 ERA and a 2.75 WHIP in 20.1 innings with Gwinnett, and since returning to Mississippi, he's allowed 3 earned runs while walking 7 and striking out 13 in 8 innings. Joe Leonard has gone 6-20 with a double, 2 RBI, and 4 walks in his last 6 games.

The M-Braves will have the next three days off, as Hurricane Isaac forced the team to cancel the series finale with Pensacola on Tuesday, they have a regularly scheduled off day on Wednesday, and their series opener in Mobile on Thursday was postponed until Saturday, when it will be part of a doubleheader. They will take the field again on Friday night to begin their final 5 games of the season against the Bay Bears.

Lynchburg Hillcats - Off

The Hillcats begin a 4 game series against the Winston-Salem Dash on Tuesday, with Aaron Northcraft scheduled to start the opener. Lynchburg, who won the first half division title, is 2.5 games behind Wilmington in the second half with 7 games to go.

Rome Braves - Off

Rome begins a 3 game series against Augusta at home on Tuesday, when Javy Lopez will be doing a meet and greet. Rome is 5 games ahead of Asheville with 7 games to go.

Danville Braves 5, Johnson City Cardinals 3

• Ronald Luna 2B 2-4, RBI, BB, SB (6), .295 AVG
• Trenton Moses 3B 2-4, BB, .298 AVG
• Casey Kalenkosky 1B 2-4, 2 RBI, .241 AVG
• Lucas Sims 4 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 K, 4.33 ERA
• Carlos Perez 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K, 2.05 ERA
• Alex Wilson 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K, W (1), 2.73 ERA
• Jeremy Fitzgerald 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K, SV (2), 2.45 ERA

Lucas Sims struggled again in his final start of the year, allowing 3 runs in 4 innings of work. The 18 year old righty, selected 21st overall in this year's draft, allowed 6 earned runs in 6.2 innings of work in his last 2 starts. Overall, he had a promising debut season, with a 2-4 record, a 3.97 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, 10.6 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, and 3 K/BB in 33 innings over 11 starts between the GCL and Danville. After putting up a 12.79 ERA and a 2.74 WHIP in 19 innings with Rome, 20 year old Dominican lefty Carlos Perez was able to salvage his season, posting a 2.05 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts in 30.2 innings with Danville. Jeremy Fitzgerald picked up his second save of the year, and the 21 year old has only allowed 1 earned run in 10 innings over his last 7 appearances. Trenton Moses has gone 6-20 with a double, a RBI, and a walk in his last 6 games. Casey Kalenkosky has gone 3-8 with 2 RBI in his last 2 games.

With the win tonight, Danville clinched their division's wild card spot. They will play a 3 game series against the Elizabethton Twins in the first round starting Wednesday. Their final game of the season is Tuesday against Johnson City, with Rafael Briceno scheduled to start.