Braves Minors Recap: Zack Bird Makes his debut, Ozzie Albies leaves early

(57-51) Gwinnett Braves 3, (56-53) Rochester Red Wings 1

Box Score

Mallex Smith, CF: 1-4, CS, .230/.270/.295
Cedric Hunter, DH: 2-4, HR(8), 1 RBI, 2 R, .269/.312/.391
Christian Bethancourt, C: 2-3, HR(3), 2B, 2 RBI, R, .299/.317/.448
Victor Mateo, SP: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 2.62 ERA over 2 levels

Gwinnett is absolutely *insert fire emoji* right now. They are 3-0 in August, have won 9 of their last 10, and have swept 2 of their last 3 series. This has projected them all the way to third in the wildcard standing, a position they sit 2.5 games back of. Tonight they got a crack at Twins prospect Jose Berrios, who was able to blank them back on July 23, but this time they were able to scratch out 3 runs against him. Christian Bethancourt’s 2 run home run in the 6th gave Gwinnett the lead for good, after which Ryan Weber and Peter Moylan were able to come in and shut the door. Starter Victor Mateo pitched well in his AAA debut, going 6 innings and giving up just 1 run en route to his first AAA win. Decatur Native and MLK graduate Cedric Hunter hit his team-leading 8th home run (second place has 4, sadly) and also added another hit on the day

(53-52) Mississippi Braves 0 vs. (55-49) Montgomery Biscuits 1 F/12

Box Score

Rio Ruiz, 3B: 0-4, BB, 2K, .209/.329/.258
David Rohm, RF: 1-4, BB, .253/.324/.304
Zack Bird, SP: 5.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K, 0.00 ERA as a Brave (That's all that matters now)
Tyler Jones, RP: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1BB, 5 K, 1.90 ERA between A+ and AA

Jackson native Zack Bird made his Braves debut in this one, and pitched well over 5 ⅔ innings. The Murrah High School graduate native got off to a rough start by walking 2 in the first, but worked out of it scoreless and only allowed a walk and 2 hits over his next 4 ⅔ innings. He flashed the live fastball and improving off speed pitches that intrigued the Braves, and put together quite the first impression with his new organization. Tyler Jones pitched 2 scoreless innings and struck out 5 batters, allowing just 1 hit and 1 walk. There was not much offense to speak of, with just Emerson Landoni, David Rohm, and Matt Kennelly getting one hit each, and a twelfth inning run allowed by Jorge Reyes was enough for the Biscuits to come out on top.

Carolina Mudcats

No game today :( Blair Walters gets the start against 1st place Winston-Salem tomorrow. Carolina rides a 6 game win streak going into that series, and sit just 2 back of the Dash.

(45-61) Rome Braves 4 vs. (58-48) Savannah Sand Gnats 7

Box Score

Ozhaino Albies, SS: 0-1, Pinch hit for in 4th inning,.309/.369/.403
Leudys Baez, LF: 1-4, .250/.250/.250
Matt Tellor, 1B: 3-4, RBI, .220/.264/.302
Yean Carlos Gil, SP: 6.2 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 4.39 ERA

The biggest news of the minor league night came from Rome, where top prospect Ozhaino Albies left in the bottom of the 4th. There was no apparent on field injury, so hopefully it was just cramping or a call up. Moving on to the actual game recap, Yean Carlos Gil continued his slide, losing his 5th game for Rome and moving to 2-15 on the season. Leudys Baez was called up from Danville, and the 18 year old singled in his third at bat of the day and came around to score on one of Matt Tellor's 3 singles on the day and a wild pitch by Sand Gnats pitcher Michael Gibbons. Tanner Murphy also provided a solid contribution, going 1-3 and driving in a run on a sacrifice fly.

Danville Braves

Off day today. Patrick Weigel on the mound tomorrow. Juan Yepez (17 years old!) and Justin Ellison have been called up to Danville

GCL Braves

Rained out again. By the time he makes his debut Kolby Allard will be 30

Some DSL news-Randy Ventura went 2-5 with 2 doubles. Sander Boeldak had 2 hits and a triple, and Raysheandall Michel also had 2 hits. DSL won 7-3