Atlanta Braves Minor League Recap - 7/16

(45-46) Gwinnett Braves 0 vs. (36-57) Syracuse Chiefs 2

Box Score

• Jose Peraza, 2B: 2-3
• Christian Bethancourt, C: 1-3
• Williams Perez, SP: 2.1 IP, 1H, 1 R (0 ER), 3 K
• Andrew McKirahan, RP: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 K

Tough loss for Gwinnett as they fall to Syracuse 2-0 despite the pitching staff not giving up any earned runs. 6 different pitchers combined on this strong effort, including Williams Perez and Andrew McKirahan who were on rehab assignment. Also getting in on the fun was Matt Marksberry who has been excellent out of the bullpen this year (2.51 ERA, 42/14 K/BB in 28 appearances) over two levels. As for the offense, well...it was pretty poor. The squad only managed four singles on the the night, including 2 from Jose Peraza. He was also caught stealing in his only attempt on the night. Mallex Smith continued his struggles, going 0 for 4 and has 6 hits in his last 37 at-bats. He is still very young for the level and will probably need a full season at AAA to begin to continue the success he has had at the plate at other levels.

(38-51) Jacksonville Suns 14 vs. (44-44) Mississippi Braves 15 - F/10

Box Score

• Eric Garcia, SS: 4-6, HR, 3 RBI, 3 run
• Steve Rodriguez, C: 3-5, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 1 run
• Levi Hyams, 2B: 2-5, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 3 runs, 1 BB
• Jason Hursh, RP: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 5.45 ERA

This game was super exciting as the Braves overcame an early 10-0 deficit to tie the game with a 10-run third inning, take the lead only to blow it in the 8th and 9th, and then walked off on a Steve Rodriguez RBI single in the 10th for a 15-14 victory. The pitching was, well, not the greatest with Andrew Barbosa struggling mightily in less than 2 innings of work. Of note is that Jason Hursh made another appearance out of the bullpen and its beginning to look more and more like that transition may be permanent. As for the offense, gold stars go to Eric Garcia and Steve Rodriguez, two guys who are not known for the their offensive prowess but they combined to 7-11 with 6 RBIs. Rio Ruiz also had a couple of RBIs and reached base 3 times to help cap off a strong performance and comeback by the offense.

(41-48) Winston-Salem Dash 2 vs. (44-46) Carolina Mudcats 4

Box Score

• Connor Lien, CF: 2-3, 2 runs, 1 2B, 1 BB
• Dustin Peterson, LF: 2-4, 2 RBI
• Carlos Franco, 3B: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 run
• Lucas Sims, SP: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, 5.18 ERA

Lucas Sims had one of his best starts of the year as the Mudcats beat the Dash, 2-4. After struggling with control and pitch counts in his first two starts back from injury, Lucas put together 6 strong innings where he only gave up 1 run while striking out 8. He did struggle with his control in the last inning, but he got a strikeout to end the threat and preserve his very strong outing. The offense continues to be led by Connor Lien who, after his 2 hit day, has hit safely in eight of his past ten games while stealing 8 bases during the same period. Dustin Peterson had a couple RBIs while Carlos Franco continued to get big hits when needed as he also has hit safely in 8 of 10 games. The bullpen had a decent outing, although Kyle Kinman did give up a run in 2 innings of work, to preserve the win.

(42-48) Charleston RiverDogs 1 vs. (40-49) Rome Braves 4 - Game One

Box Score

• Ozhaino Albies, SS: 1-3, 1 2B, 1 run, 1 RBI
• Bryan De La Rosa, C: 1-2, HR, 2 RBI
• Wes Parsons, SP: 5 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
• Josh Outman, RP: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

In the first game of the double header, Rome's pitching led by Wes Parsons would prove to be too much as Rome defeated Charleston 4-1. Parsons was excellent in his first start back from injury for Rome as he gave up just 2 hits and 1 run in 5 innings. Josh Outman was on rehab assignment in this game and tossed a scoreless inning. Ozhaino Albies did Ozhaino things with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. At this point, its more surprising when he doesn't get a hit than when he does. Bryan De La Rosa has had a tough year offensively, but did hit his 4th homer of the year in the fourth inning which would put Rome ahead for good. 

(42-49) Charleston RiverDogs 0 vs. (41-49) Rome Braves 3 - Game Two

Box Score

• Omar Obregon, 2B: 2-3, 1 run, 1 SB(25)
• Braxton Davidson, RF: 1-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI
• Tanner Murphy, C: 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 run
• Sean Furney, SP: 6 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K

Rome would win the second half of the doubleheader as well as they shut out Charleston 3-0. Sean Furney had a very strong outing on the day, giving up just one hit and 0 earned runs on the day. The RHP has split time between Carolina and Rome this year and while he struggle in Carolina, he has proven to be a valuable part of the rotation and bullpen for Rome. Omar Obregon had an excellent day at the plate and still seems to have a need for speed as he got his 25th stolen base on the year. Braxton Davidson had an RBI double in the game, but has really struggled of late, with 4 hits and 18 strikeouts in his last 10 games, although he has also walked 11 times as well.

(10-11) Elizabethton Twins 1 vs. (10-12) Danville Braves 3

Box Score

• Carlos Castro, DH: 2-4, 1 RBI
• Jose Morel, RF: 2-3, 1 BB, 1 run
• Josh Graham, SP: 5 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K

Danville's pitching ruled the day in this one as they beat the Twins, 3-1. Carlos Castro and Jose Morel have been excellent for Danville this year and have taken very similar paths to pro baseball. Both played for significant stretches in the Dominican Summer League, although Morel also had a short stint with Rome last season. Both Josh Graham and Trevor Belichek were excellent as Belichek followed Graham's strong 5 innings with 4 innings of 1 hit ball himself.  A gold star also goes to Luke Dykstra, son of Lenny Dykstra, who got a hit and an RBI to extend his hitting streak to 10 games.

GCL Braves - Didn't play due to rain