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Gwinnett Stripers 7, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders 4
- Phil Gosselin, 2B: 4-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 runs, .246/.308/.360
- Jonathan Morales, C: 3-4, 2 RBI, .275/.333/.275
- Luiz Gohara, SP: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 10 K, 5.56 ERA
Luiz Gohara put on a show (potentially for some other teams’ scouts if you believe the rumors) as Gwinnett took down the RailRiders by the score of 7-4. Aside from giving up two home runs among the four hits he allowed in the game, Gohara was excellent as he struck out 10 batters in less than six innings of work. I mention the home runs because there has been a definitive uptick in how many long balls he has given up this year. After giving up a total of eight home runs all year in 153 innings, Gohara has given up 12 in 2018 in just 68.1 innings of work this year.
On offense, Phil Gosselin was one of two players in the Braves minor leagues on Sunday to come close to hitting for the cycle (he was a triple away) as he went 4-4 and had easily his best game since being re-acquired by the Braves. Jonathan Morales has quietly been pretty productive at the plate since his promotion to Triple-A although what power he did show in the lower levels of the minors has seemingly disappeared. Austin Riley did record a walk, but was held hitless in the game and he has just one hit in his last four games.
Mississippi Braves 11, Birmingham Barons 6
- Ray-Patrick Didder, SS: 3-4, 3B, HR, 4 RBI, 3 runs, .345/.429/.509
- Travis Demeritte, LF: 1-3, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 2 runs, .219/.309/.405
- Michael Mader, SP: 5 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 3.38 ERA
Ray-Patrick Didder and the offense went wild as Mississippi took down the Barons by the final score of 11-6. Michael Mader wasn’t super crisp on Sunday, but he gave Mississippi five innings of “good enough” pitching while the offense was putting up crooked numbers. Kelvin Vasquez had a rough relief outing again (his second in a row) and Adam McCreery was excellent out of the bullpen as he threw two innings of scoreless relief while recording all six of his outs via strikeout.
On offense, by the end of the fourth inning, Ray-Patrick Didder was just a double short of hitting for the cycle. He didn’t end up getting it, but he has found new life at the plate since his promotion to Double-A (one has to wonder that not having to deal with the notoriously pitcher-friendly Florida State League and its rainouts every other day is a factor). A strong defender in the infield and outfield, if Didder’s bat rounds back into form...he is a guy that AT LEAST profiles as a strong utility option off of a major league bench. Travis Demeritte reached base three times including a homer. While the batting average doesn’t look pretty, he is still drawing walks and being productive even if this the level of production that many of us were hoping for from him in 2018. Brett Cumberland made a pair of throwing errors and is still looking for his first hit in Double-A.
Florida Fire Frogs - Doubleheader Cancelled
Rain double sucks
Rome Braves 5, Lexington Legends 6
- Drew Waters, CF: 3-4, BB, run, .301/.353/.512
- Derian Cruz, 2B: 2-4, 2B, 3B, RBI, .218/.246/.313
- Odalvi Javier, SP: 3.2 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, 4.20 ERA
Rome rallied late in the game, but fell short as they lost to Lexington by the score of 6-5. Odalvi Javier has been a consistent performer for Rome this year, but this was one of his poorer efforts as he failed to escape the 4th inning. That said, he is still striking out better than a batter an inning in 2018 and could be an interesting starting pitching prospect if he could cut down the walks. Brooks Wilson made his full season ball debut for Rome and gave up an unearned run in 2.1 innings of work while striking out a pair of batters.
The offense woke up late as Drew Waters had three hits. Unfortunately, he was also caught stealing in the first inning and was also picked off in the top of the 9th to end the game which was less than ideal. Greyson Jenista has settled in nicely at Rome and has hit safely in five straight games and in eight of his past nine games. Hagen Owenby and Derian Cruz each had multi-hit games for Rome as well.
Danville Braves 1, Johnson City Cardinals 8
- Brett Langhorne, 3B: 3-4, 2B, .330/.441/.408
- Justin Smith, DH: 1-3, RBI, .171/.275/.343
- Jose Montilla, SP: 4.1 IP, 10 H, 7 R (6 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 3.43 ERA
Tough game for Danville as they fell to Johnson City by the score of 8-1. Jose Montilla had a start that he probably wishes he could have back, but the lack of offense is what ultimately doomed Danville. Brett Langhorne had three hits including a double, but the rest of the team combined for two hits which is not exactly a recipe for success.