Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: Minor League Openers

TomahawkTake.com

Rome Braves

The pitching was excellent – defense a bit iffy: starter Max Povse went 5 innings, striking out 7 against 2 walks and 4 hits.  That’s often good enough, but 3 errors behind him led to 3 runs – 2 unearned. Braxton Davidson went yard for his first homer as a pro, but he also was responsible for two of those errors.  Rome only mustered 4 hits and scratched out 3 runs (helped by 5 walks), but were beaten by Asheville 4-3 at home.

Carlos Salazar pitched 2 strong innings in relief (no hits, 3 K, 1 BB) and Zach Quintana yielded 1 run in the final 2 frames.  SS Ozhaino Albies had a tough start:  0-4 with 2 Ks.

Carolina Mudcats

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The pitching was good here as well… too good:  the Mudcats’ first game as a Braves’ affiliate didn’t go as hoped.  The Mudcats were no-hit at home in High-A Carolina League action at the hands of the Salem Red Sox, who won 2-0 in seven innings (rain).  Jake Dahlstrand did the deed over six innings.  The game was called after 1 out in the bottom of the seventh.

The last Carolina League no-hitter?  Aaron Northcraft‘s gem for Lynchburg (Braves) against Salem in 2012.

Yean Carlos Gil pitched well – 2 earned in almost 5 innings (one homer among 5 hits, no walks and 4 K).  Blair Walters followed him, giving up nothing – no hits or walks, 1K.  The lineup featured Joey Meneses, Dustin Peterson, Jose Briceno and Johan Camargo.  The offense only K’s 4 times, but walked just twice while getting – of course – no hits on the night.

Mississippi Braves

Ever have one of “those” nights?  The AA M-Braves also took it on the chin last night, falling 7-2 to the Tennessee Smokies (Cubs).

How odd was this one? Mallex Smith walked twice… and was picked off twice.  The best bright spot was probably third base prospect Rio Ruiz:  2 for 4 – both doubles, though one almost left the yard.

Jason Hursh started this, but went just 3 (3 runs allowed, 2 earned, 3 hits, 1 K and 4 walks).  Ian Thomas and Ryan Weber filled in the gap nicely – splitting 4 innings, striking out 5 and giving up absolutely nothing else between them.  Justin Jackson was tagged for a run in the 8th on 1 hit, 1 walk, though K’d a pair.

Information tweeted by Kyle Tait contributed to this report.

Gwinnett Braves

Yes, I’m afraid it was an organization anti-sweep... Gwinnett was beaten in a tough one 1-0 by the Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay) via six strong innings from Dylan Floro (1 hit).  Our Michael Foltynewicz took the loss, giving up just 1 earned in 4 innings.  3 hits (one being the deciding home run) and 2 BB were mixed in with seven strikeouts.  Sugar Ray Marimon went 3 perfect innings (2K) and Michael Kohn finished the other 2 innings – 2 hits and 1 K).

The Gwinnett offense only managed 3 hits on the night:  Cedric Hunter, Eury Perez and Jose Peraza getting them.  The rest of the lineup reads like the late innings of a Spring game:  Todd Cunningham, Joe Benson, Elmer Reyes, Pedro Ciriaco, Sean Kamar, and Braeden Schlehuber.

Sources:  milb.com team pages except as noted.