Braves Minor League Recap: Hunter and Ruiz continue streaking

(71-61) Gwinnett Braves 9, (73-59) Norfolk Tides 3

Box Score

• Mallex Smith, CF: 1-4, BB, R, .286/.332/.370

• Cedric Hunter, LF: 2-3, HR, 3B, 4 RBI, BB, .288/.331/.439

• Sean Kazmar, 2B: 2-4, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, R, .284/.316/.399

• Manny Banuelos, SP: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, 2.23 ERA

Gwinnett started out this extremely important series with the division leading Tides with a nice win to move them within 2 games of Norfolk. They can potentially take the lead in the division if they are able to sweep this 4 game series. Manny Banuelos made his first rehab start with Gwinnett, throwing 2 scoreless innings before Victor Mateo came in and got the win despite giving up 3 runs. 3 players recorded 2 hits on the day, with Cedric Hunter leading the charge with his team leading 12th home run and extending his hitting streak to 21 games. The Braves were able to score 3 runs in 2 innings off of former teammate (for 1 game) Dana Eveland. Gwinnett has 1 more series remaining with Norfolk (in Norfolk), another 4 gamer ( this one with a double header) on the 2nd-4th of September, so this series isn't do or die, but is certainly their best opportunity to get them in place to make the playoffs.

(65-59) Mississippi Braves 8 vs. (56-69) Pensacola Blue Wahoos 11

Box Score

• Rio Ruiz, 3B: 3-4, 2B, 2 R, BB, .238/.339/.315

• Emerson Landoni, SS: 3-5, 2 2B, RBI, R, .301/.336/.388

• KD Kang, RF: 2-5, HR, 3 RBI, R, .274/.353/.392

• Greg Ross, SP: 5 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 4.10 ERA

Mississippi dropped their third straight to the now division leading Wahoos, losing the 5 game series 3-2 after taking the first 2. It wasn't an all bad day though, as Rio Ruiz continued his late season surge that has some wondering if he may have an opportunity to earn a spot in AAA with a strong performance in AAA next season. According to MBraves announcer Kyle Tait, this streak hasn't been due to any mechanical or approach adjustments, rather, Ruiz has just now caught up to AA pitching. He is still a majority opposite field based hitter, and that will limit his potential power ceiling if adjustments aren't made. KD Kang added 3 runs on his 6th home run of the season in the 5th inning.

(66-63) Carolina Mudcats 2 vs. (68-62) Lynchburg Hillcats 8

Box Score

• Dustin Peterson, LF: 1-4, RBI, .258/.328/.362

• Connor Lien, CF-RF: 0-2, BB, SB, Outfield Assist, .286/.346/.415

• Johan Camargo, SS: 0-3, .266/.316/.350

• Jose Briceno, C: 1-4, R, .184/.218/.269

• Seth Webster, SP: 7 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 2.75 ERA

Carolina had the match with former affiliate Lynchburg in hand going into the ninth before Bradley Roney and Richie Tate allowed a combined 7 runs on 7 hits, 2 walks, and 2 wild pitches. It was an unfortunate waste of another nice start from Seth Webster, who has an 8-7 record with a 2.75 ERA. The side mer is averaging more than 6 and a half innings pitched per start, tops in the system. Connor Lien helped out Webster early on, recording his professional-baseball-leading 18th outfield assist of the season on a throw to the plate in the 5th.

(54-75) Rome Braves 3 vs. (53-74) Lexington Legends 1

Box Score

• Braxton Davidson, RF: 0-3, BB, .243/.386/.376

• Tanner Murphy, C: 1-4, 2B, .189/.273/.300

• Leudys Baez, LF: 2-3, HR, 2 RBI, .237/.275/.368

• Zach Quintana, SP: 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6K, 3.04 ERA

Leudys Baez hit his first home run with Rome to help them to their 2nd straight win, and third win in the last 4. Zach Quintana had one of his best starts of the season, and Sean McLaughlin came on for the last 2 innings to get the save. Tanner Murphy knocked his 15th double on the season, and is hitting .235/.316/.500 over his past 10 games with 5 extra base hits (2 home runs).

Photo Credit: Garrett Spain

(31-32) Danville Braves 6 vs. (23-39) Bluefield Blue Jays 3

Box Score

• Austin Riley, 3B: 1-2, 2 RBI, .330/.413/.521

• Juan Yepez. 1B: 2-3, HR, BB, .259/.303/.420

• Ronald Acuna, CF: 1-2, 2 BB, 2B, R, .261/.382/.391

• Patrick Weigel, SP: 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 3.75 ERA

Patrick Weigel was on his game today, striking out 7 batters, forcing ground outs on 5 occasions (1 double play) and even picking off a guy. Jeff Campbell had a 3 RBI double in the 7th to give Danville a lead that they would hold permanently. Juan Yepez continued his hot hitting, and is hitting .389/.439/.667 over his past 10 games with 2 home runs. Jose Morel had a hit and a walk on the day to raise his line to .315/.377/.391. It was an unfortunately rough day for Justin Ellison, as he went 0-4 with 3 strikeouts.

(25-33) GCL Braves 6 vs (35-22) GCL Tigers 7

Box Score

• Collin Yelich, C: 2-5, 2B, RBI, .239/.360/.282

• Jonathan Morales, DH: 2-4, BB, R, .281/.361/.492

• Kelvin Estevez, RF: 3-4, BB, RBI, SB, .366/.395/.488

• Brandon Cunniff, SP: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 0.00 ERA

Brandon Cunniff made his first rehab start in this one, pitching a perfect first before making way Jhon Martinez. Martinez pitched 4 innings of 1 run ball, but the wheels fell off for Kelvin Rodriguez in the 6th. 6 runs crossed the plate in the inning-5 of them unearned. The offense did it's part in collecting 6 runs on 11 hits and 7 walks, but a throwing error early in the 6th by Collin Yelich was the culprit in those 5 unearned runs. The Braves made 2 other errors in the game, both throwing errors by Alejandro Salazar and Robert Nesovic.