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Gwinnett Stripers 7, Durham Bulls 6
- Danny Santana, CF: 2-4, 2 RBI, .276/.296/.537
- Carlos Franco, 1B: 2-4, HR, RBI, .243/.313/.403
- Touki Toussaint, SP: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 2.67 ERA
Touki Toussaint continued his reign of terror as Gwinnett took down Durham by the score of 7-6. Touki has now made a total of four starts in Triple-A and he has given up a TOTAL of five earned runs in those starts while striking out 24 batters in 25.1 innings pitched. One has to think that before long he will get the call to the big show although he may start his major league career in the bullpen. Chad Bell did his best to punt the game while giving up five runs in less than an inning of work, but the rest of the bullpen held firm and secured the win for Gwinnett.
On offense, it was a balanced effort that helped Gwinnett take this one down as Luis Marte, Danny Santana, Carlos Franco, and the now departed Preston Tucker all had multi-hit games for the Stripers. Franco connected for his 14th home run of the season and he could eclipse his career high of 21 set last season with a strong second half. Austin Riley when 0-3 with a HBP and he has been struggling mightily over his last week or so.
Mississippi Braves 3, Birmingham Barons 0
- Brett Cumberland, DH: 2-4, .111/.200/.111
- Tyler Neslony, RF: 2-4, RBI, .247/.301/.325
- Enderson Franco, SP: 7 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K, 3.56 ERA
Enderson Franco was flirting with a no hitter as the Mississippi pitching staff dominated Birmingham to get a 3-0 win. Franco had a no-hitter going for a while until a bunt single (yes, one of the Birmingham players decided to be that guy) broke it up. However, that doesn’t take away the fact that Franco was great. He has given up two earned runs or less in four of his last five starts. Corbin Clouse is a reliever we have liked for a while now and he looks like he is used to some mechanical changes as he has given up just two earned runs in his last 19 appearances. We expect him to head to Gwinnett soon.
On offense, Brett Cumberland got on the board with his first hits in Double-A. Tyler Neslony had a good day as well with a pair of hits and an RBI. Alejandro Salazar and Carlos Martinez also had multi-hit games for Mississippi. While the team did not record an extra-base hit in the game, they strung together singles and walks when they needed to and with the pitching staff being lights out, they didn’t need to provide much run support.
Rome Braves 5, Greensboro Grasshoppers 6
- Drew Waters, CF: 2-5, 2B, 3 runs, .303/.353/.513
- Brendan Venter, 3B: 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, .205/.274/.301
- Freddy Tarnok, SP: 5 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 3.54 ERA
Rome lost the lead late and could not rally as they fell to Greensboro by the score of 6-5. Freddy Tarnok’s transition to the rotation has been a bit rocky to start, but this outing was a good step in the right direction. He has now given up three runs or less in his last four appearances and he absolutely has the stuff to be a bigger mover up prospect lists if he continues to develop and hone his command. Unfortunately, the bullpen faltered as Cutter Dyals gave up two runs in the top of the 9th which proved to be the difference in the game.
On offense, Drew Waters, Brendan Venter, and Marco Almonte all had multi-hit games for Rome. Waters just made it on to MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 and is considered by many to be one of the absolute best prospects in the South Atlantic League. Greyson Jenista has hit safely in six straight games and added an outfield assist in the game as well. William Contreras had a double and an RBI as he continues to impress for Rome. At this point, there is no question that he is the best catching prospect in the Braves’ farm system.
GCL Braves 5, GCL Yankees West 7
- Christian Zamora, LF: 2-3, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 runs, .164/.222/.239
- Luis De Jesus, SP: 1.1 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
GCL Braves 5, GCL Yankees West 4
- Ray Hernandez, 1B: 3-4, 2B, 3 RBI, .294/.375/.494
- Albinson Volquez, SP: 3 IP, 2 H, 3 R (2 ER), 5 BB, 5 K, 5.61 ERA
The GCL Braves split a doubleheader with the GCL Yankees West by the scores 5-7 and 5-4. The starting pitchers had some issues with walks as Luis De Jesus and Albinson Volquez combined for nine walks in 4.1 innings of work. Christian Zamora has a power hitter’s frame as a 17 year old and has struggled in the GCL. However, he has looked better of late and had a big game on Monday with a double and a homer. Ray Hernandez continues to impress in the GCL as he had a three hit day in the second half of the doubleheader.