Atlanta Braves Minor League Recap: 8/29

Durham Bulls 7, Gwinnett Braves 6

• Jose Constanza LF: 3-5, 2B (7), R
• Todd Cunningham CF: 1-2, 2BB
• Phil Gosselin 3B: 2-4, BB, R
• Brandon Boggs RF: 2-5, 2B (18), R
• Sean Kazmar SS: 2-4, 2 2B (17, 18), 2R
• Omar Polveda: 6IP, 5H, 4ER, 4BB, 2K
• Mark Lamm: 0.2IP, 0H, 3ER, 3BB, 0K
• Ryan Buchter: 1.1IP, H, 0ER, 0BB, K

Gwinnett and Durham went back and forth Thursday, with Gwinnett’s 9^th inning rally falling a run short. Jose Conatanza once again sparked the offense going 3-5 with a double and a run scored. Todd Cunningham also reached three of his four at bats, upping his triple-A OBP to .338. Sean Kazmar added a pair of doubles in the nine hole. Omar Poveda was touched up for four runs, raising his season ERA to 3.62. He has had a big of a rough stretch since the All-Star break after putting up a 3.32 ERA prior. Mark Lamm was also charged with three earned runs without even giving up a hit (three walks), taking the loss in 0.2 innings.

Gwinnett Player Stats

Mississippi Braves 3, Jacksonville Suns 4

• Christian Bethancourt C: 0-4
• Tommy La Stella 2B: 2-4, R
• Edward Salcedo 3B: 0-3
• Robby Hefflinger LF: 2-4, 2B (8), R
• Michael Lee: 5IP, 8H, 3ER, 2BB, 5K
• Juan Jamie: 1.2IP 2H, ER, 0BB, 3K
• Shae Simmons: 1.1IP, 0H, 0ER, 2BB, 2K

Mississippi gave up a 3-2 lead in the late innings, taking a 4-3 loss. Michael Lee gave up three runs on eight hits over five innings. Soon-to-be AFL teammates Juan Jamie (aka "one-pitch Juan") and Shae Simmons pitched the final innings in relief, throwing a combined three innings, with a 5:2 strikeout-to-walk. At the plate Tommy La Stella and Robby Hefflinger each had multi hit games, Hefflinger with his eighth double of the season.

Mississippi Player Stats

Game 1: Carolina Mudcats 7, Lynchburg Hillcats 4 (F/7)

• Matt Lipka CF: 0-3, E (5)
• David Rohm RF: 1-3, SB (5)
• Elmer Reyes SS: 2-3, HR (5), R
• Emerson Landoni 3B: 1-3, 2B(12), R
• Jose Luge: 5IP, 8H, 4ER, BB, 3K
• Brandon Cundiff: 2IP, 2H, 2ER, 4BB, 3K

Lynchburg lost in Game 1 of Thursday’s double-header, 7-4. The Mudcats got to the Hillcats' pitching, who have up six earned and 10 hits over seven innings. On offense Elmer Reyes jacked his fifth home run, adding a single in the process. David Rohm went 1-3 upping his season average to .308. He also stole his fifth base.

Game 2: Carolina Mudcats 2, Lynchburg Hillcats 3 – (F/12)

• Kyle Kubitza 3B: 2-5
• David Rohm: 1-4, 2B (33)
• Josh Elander LF: 2-4, HR (4), BB, R
• Elmer Reyes SS: 1-5, 2B (30)
• Matt Weaver CF-RF: 1-4, HR (3), R
• Matt Weaver: IP, 0H, 0ER, 0BB, K
• Greg Ross: 6IP, 7H, 2ER, 0BB, 6K

Yep that’s correct, 23-year-old first baseman Matt Weaver not only homered, but he came in to pitch the 12^th inning, picking up the win. It was a wild second game of a doubleheader, which was supposed to be shortened to a seven inning contest. Elmer Reyes, David Rohm and Matt Lipka all doubled, their 30^th, 33^rd and 29^th, respectively. Josh Elander also homered in the sixth and has now seemingly adjusted to high-A pitching. Greg Ross threw a solid six innings, giving up two earned with a 6:1 strikeout-to-walk.

*As Twitter user @WStephenShaw pointed out, the Braves plan on converting Weaver to a pitcher next season. You can find the full article here.

Lynchburg Player Stats

Savannah Sand Nats 5, Rome Braves 3

• Kyle Wren CF: 2-4, BB, R, SB (32)
• Jose Peraza SS: 3-5, SB (61), CS (16)
• Eric Garcia 2B: 2-4, R
• Edison Sanchez 1B: 1-3, BB, R, E (5)
• Casey Kalenkosky DH: 1-3, 3B (2), BB
• Frank Lafreniere: 5.2IP, 6H, 4ER, BB, 7K
• Richie Tate: 1.1IP, H, 0ER, BB, 0K

Rome jumped ahead early but couldn't string together enough hits to hold off Savannah, losing 5-3. Kyle Wren and Jose Peraza did Kyle Wren and Jose Peraza things, each reaching three times. Wren now has a .326/.382/.442 triple-slash, adding his 32^nd stolen base of the season. Peraza upped his slash line to .285/.341/.371 with his 61^st stolen base. However, he did make two base running blunders, once being thrown out attempting to steal third, another time getting gunned out at third by Eudy Pina. Frank Lafreniere pitched solid, but the results weren’t there. He gave up four earned, but had a solid 7:1 strikeout-to-walk over 5.2 innings. Richie Tate made his Rome debut throwing 1.1 scoreless innings in relief.

Rome Player Stats

Danville Braves 3, Greeneville Astros 2 (F/10)

• Mikey Reynolds 2B: 1-4, R, E (7)
• Victor Caratini 3B: 0-1, R
• Victor Reyes: 2-4
• Connor Lien RF: 0-4, E (3)
• Jared Dettmann: 4.1IP, 3H, 0ER, BB, 6K
• Dakota Dill 2.2IP, 2H, ER, 0BB, 2K
• Jordan Sechler 3IP, H, 0ER, 0BB, 0K

It took extras, but Danville scored in the top of the 10^th to overtake Greeneville 3-2. There wasn’t exactly much offense to speak of, but LF Victor Reyes did have a multi-hit game. The 18-year-old has now has a .312/.338/.351 since being called up to Danville. Starter Jared Dettmann went 4.1 innings, allowing only four base runners with six strikeouts to boot. Dakota Dill struck out two in his 2.2 innings of work, lowering his ERA to 3.67. Danville will wrap up their 2013 season tomorrow against Greeneville.

Danville Player Stats