Atlanta Braves Minor League Recap: Gwinnett rolls, AJ Minter makes his debut

Gwinnett Braves 15, Norfolk Tides 2

Box Score

• Aaron Blair, SP: 5 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 3 BB, 6 K
• Sean Kazmar, SS: 2-6, HR
• Mel Rojas Jr., OF: 3-6, RBI
• Lane Adams, OF: 4-5, 2 HR, 6 RBI, SB
• Ozzie Albies, 2B: 1-6, RBI, run

Aaron Blair pitched well, giving up only 3 hits over 5 strong innings. The offense stole the show though as with every starter but one recording a hit and 7 players collecting RBI. Lane Adams hit 2 home runs, Rio Ruiz knocked 2 doubles, Xavier Avery had 3 hits.

Blair looked a lot better than his last time out and had all of his pitches working for him. He was keeping the fastball low, working both of his breaking pitches for strikes and had a nice changeup working as well tonight.

Next Game: 4/12 @ Norfolk. Probable Starter - LHP Sean Newcomb

Mississippi Braves - No Game (Off Day)

Next Game: 4/12 vs. Tennessee. Probable Starter - LHP Max Fried (hopefully)

Florida Fire Frogs 5, Dunedin Blue Jays 4

Box Score

• Luiz Gohara 4 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 2 K
• Ronald Acuna 2-2, BB, R, 2 SB
• Alex Jackson 1-4, RBI
• Carlos Castro 2-4, 2B, RBI
• AJ Minter 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Luiz Gohara pitched well again and has yet to walk a batter this year. He worked out of trouble in the 2nd inning when a batter reached on a error and he had a wild pitch getting a strikeout and a pop up to get out of it. He gave up his first run(s) of 2017 in the third inning and was at 70 pitched after fourth so he was pulled. He only tossed 69.2 innings last year with Seattle in 13 starts so the Braves will ease him into a larger work load over the season.

Ronald Acuna was 2 for 4 with 2 stolen bases including one where there was a pitchout but he still managed to beat the throw to record his 4th stolen base of the year. Alex Jackson laced a base hit RBI in the first to score Acuna to keep his hitting streak alive at 5 games. Alay Lago knocked in Carlos Castro in the 8th inning for the game winning run.

AJ Minter made his season debut in the 5th inning and was perfect with 2 strikeouts, it’s not really fair for him to pitch in High-A at this point but he’s still in Spring Training. Obviously the team wants him to get Gwinnett soon though starting him out in Kissimmee instead of in extended Spring Training or Rome.

Next Game: 4/12 vs. Dunedin. Probable Starter - LHP Tyler Pike

Rome Braves 2, Kannapolis Intimidators 1

Box Score

• Ryan Lawlor, SP: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
• Thomas Burrows, RP: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
• Cristian Pache, OF: 1-3, 3B, RBI
• Anthony Concepcion, OF: 2-4, RBI

Cristian Pache recorded his first extra base hit of the season with an RBI triple in the 2nd inning. Ryan Lawlor continued his good start to 2017 with 4 scoreless innings. Thomas Burrows pitched 2 scoreless for the second time in as many appearances this year picking up his first save. He’s up to 5 strikeouts and probably won’t be in the Sally League for too long. Bryse Wilson gets the 10 AM start tomorrow and then the Champs come home for their Opening Day Thursday which should be on MILB.TV.

Next Game: 4/12 @Kannapolis - Probable Starter: RHP Bryse Wilson