Braves Minors Recap: Starting Pitching impressed, and top prospects showed out

(52-50) Gwinnett Braves 5, (51-52) Durham Bulls 0

Box Score

Jose Peraza, 2B-SS: 3-4, 2B, 3B, 2 R, .296/.320/.380
Christian Bethancourt, C: 3-4, 2 2B, RBI,  .289/.305/.412
Mallex Smith, CF: 0-4, .214/.256/.282
Tyrell Jenkins, SP: 8 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 2.16 ERA in AAA

The story of the night was Tyrell Jenkin's complete dominance of the Bulls lineup. He shut down Durham's offense from pitch 1 to pitch 97, and 3 runs Gwinnett scored in the second was more than enough to lead them to a win. Jose Peraza more than made up for snapping his hitting streak last night, and finished a home run short of the cycle. Christian Bethancourt is the first Gwinnett player with 3 doubles in a game since Ernesto Mejia in 2013. Joey Terdoslavich also had a hit on the night, and Cedric Hunter drove in his 39th run of the year. Vin Mazzaro pitched a scoreless inning of relief and has yet to give up as run in 4 appearance since being signed by the Braves.

Mississippi Braves

Had the day off. Back in action tonight against Birmingham with Greg Ross on the mound.

(49-52) Carolina Mudcats 3 vs. (51-43) ) Myrtle Beach Pelicans 4

Box Score

Connor Lien, RF: 1-2, left after 6 innings, 293/.347/.436
Dustin Peterson, LF: 0-4, .256/.330/.360
Jacob Schrader, 1B: 2-4, R, .253/.292/.457
Brandon Barker, SP: 7 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 4 K, 3.05 ERA
Josh Outman, RP: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 K, 0.00 ERA

Carolina took a 3-1 lead in the 5th inning, but we're not able to hold on as Brandon Barker gave up 2 in the 6th and 1 in the 7th. Connor Lien was pulled in between innings without any indication of an injury, so his status will be interesting to keep an eye on. Dustin Peterson's second half slide continues, and he has dropped his OPS below .700. Jose Briceno knocked his 11th double of the season in the 5th inning, and he has hit .240/.269/.360 over his past 7 games. While not particularly good that is an improvement over his current slash line, and hopefully he can finish this season on a positive note. Josh Outman continued his rehab tour through the minor leagues in an impressive way, Throwing 15 pitches (10 for strikes) in a perfect 8th inning. Carolina has now lost 4 of their last 5 and sit 4.5 games back of Winston-Salem in the 2nd half race in the Carolina League Southern Division.

(43-57) Rome Braves 0 vs. (51-49) Asheville Tourists 2

Box Score

Stephen Gaylor, LF: 3-4, 3B, Outfield Assist, .288/.354/.356
Braxton Davidson, RF: 0-3, K, .249/.392/.379
Tanner Murphy, C: 0-3, K, .184/.275/.275
Sean Furney, SP: 7 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K, 2.79 ERA

Rome's offense was anemic against the Tourists, as they scratched out just 4 hits (3 by Stephen Gaylor) and weren't able to reach base any other time. When they were able to get on they were (in order): stranded at 3B on strikeouts (Gaylor), picked off at 3B (Obregon), Picked off at 1B (Gaylor), and erased by a force out to end the game (Gaylor). All in all, a night to forget offensively. Sean Furney was lights out in this one, and gave Rome a good chance to win, but Evan Phillips allowed 2 runs in his inning of work in the 8th and took the loss on the night. Jordan Edgerton continued his slide, as did Braxton Davidson, but it is getting very late in the season and fatigue may be beginning to set in for these players in their first season of full season baseball. Rome has lost 7 of their last 8 and now sit firmly out of the 2nd half race, 7 games out and with 5 teams in front of them

(16-17) Danville Braves 6, (16-18) Burlington Royals 5

Box Score

Dylan Manwaring, 3B: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 R,.137/.228/.255
Kelvin Estevez, LF: 2-3, 1 2B, 1 R, 2 RBI, .222/.258/.302
Carlos Castro, C: 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, .355/.381/.458
Ryan Lawlor, SP: 4 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 1.88 ERA

Sean McLaughlin, RP: 2IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 2K

Danville continued their hot hitting ways, racking up 10 hits and 6 runs in their win. Jose Morel added another hit - he's now hit in 5 straight, as did 2B Luke Dykstra. Carlos Castro continued his assault on Appalachian League pitching with another 2 hit night, and knocked in the go ahead run in the bottom of the 7th. Both Dylan Manwaring and Kelvin Estevez have gotten off to slow starts this season, so it's a nice sign to see both of them get 2 hits and a double on the night. Estevez led the team with 2 RBI, both coming on his second inning double that scored Manwaring and Trey Keegan. Ryan Lawlor's start was less than spectacular, but he did rack up an impressive 6 strikeouts in his 4 innings of work. Sean McLaughlin shut the door in the 8th and 9th innings, and Steve Borkowski got the win despite giving up 2 runs to blow the save.

(13-16) GCL Braves 8, (14-13) GCL Tigers 4

Box score

Ronald Acuna, CF: 2-4, 2B, BB, .261

Austin Riley, 3B: 1-5, Grand Slam (5), 4 RBI, 2 E(7) .227

Justin Ellison, LF: 2-4, 3 RBI, .262/

Mike Soroka, SP: 3 IP, 3H, 2R, 1BB, 5K, 1.80 ERA

Dalton Geekie, RP: 2 IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 2K, 2.53 ERA

It was an all round good game for the Braves 2015 draft picks, as they provided 7 of the RBI while only giving up 2 of the runs. Mike Soroka had a good outing striking out 5 and walking only one over 3 inning, though he did give up his first professional runs. His ERA sits at a nice 1.80 though, so I don't really worry about those 2 runs, as his peripherals were good. 22nd rounder Dalton Geekie got the win with with 2 scoreless innings late. Austin Riley hit his 5th home run if the season - A grand slam in the 2nd, but Justin Ellison wasn't gonna let him have all of the glory as he drove in 3 runs himself. Top international signing Juan Yepez went 2-4 and raised his average on the season up to a sweet .322. Right fielder Isranel Wilson added the other RBI with a single in the second, and the game was over when they had a 6-0 lead after the top of the 2nd. Ronald Acuna and Ronny Guillermo also had 2 hits on the day, and hot hitting Alejandro Salazar went 1-4. The 18 yr old shortstop is hitting .415/.489/.585 over his last 10 games.