Atlanta Braves Week 7 Farm Report: Home runs and No-hitters

This past week in the Atlanta Braves minor league system featured a little bit of everything.

Even more so, the Gwinnett Stripers enjoyed perhaps their best week of baseball in team history. Do they even miss Austin Riley? The Atlanta Braves sure have enjoyed him.

We’ve made it to Week 7 of the Atlanta Braves Farm Report. This week’s version returns back to its original format, though this week features several more videos and highlights. Enjoy!

Need a refresher on the previous reports?

• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3
• Week 4
• Week 5
• Week 6

(26-17) Gwinnett Stripers (AAA)

WEEK 7 RECORD: 5-1

Players of the Week

(LF) Travis Demeritte

6 games, .370 BA, 4 HR, 2 2B, 8 RBI

There were several Gwinnett hitters in Week 7 that were deserving of Batter of the Week, but Demeritte stood out not only because of his power output, but his high average as well.

Batting .311 for the season, the outfielder from New York, NY has become a key cog in the Stripers lineup. He currently is in the midst of four-straight games with a home run and he already has 9 long balls this year, to go with 32 RBI.

With Austin Riley doing bigger and better things, Demeritte should continue to get plenty of RBI opportunities. He’s been batting 5th in the lineup so far this season, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him hitting cleanup soon, especially if Adam Duvall gets called-up or traded.

(SP) Bryse Wilson

7.1 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, BB, 5 K

Being that newly promoted starting pitcher, Patrick Weigel, was able to pitch 4 innings of no-hit ball on Saturday, and I’m still picking Bryse Wilson as Pitcher of the Week — this is a rather large statement.

But Wilson’s outing on Thursday was a big deal for several reasons. This is a prospect that many expected to make some substantial strides, given his excellent minor league campaign last season and his solid big league debut against the Pirates, also last year.

Things just haven’t gone his way until his Week 7 start. Last Thursday he turned in his first quality-start and first start giving up zero earned runs in 2019 (out of 7 starts).

The long ball has bitten him this year (6 homers allowed), but he’ll go into next week carrying a now-respectable 4.66 ERA.

Week at a Glance

(5/13) Monday: Off Day

The Stripers were off on Monday, finally getting some rest after playing 20-straight games. The stretch of games obviously didn’t hinder third baseman Austin Riley (#2 prospect).

Austin Riley’s epic performance last week was capped off with an IL Batter of the Week award, a well-deserved reward for the 22-year-old on his day off.

Riley received another accolade for his play, joining catcher Alex Jackson in earning MLB Pipeline’s Prospect Team of the Week.

It’s safe to say that the Stripers represented the Atlanta Braves organization extremely well last week.

(5/14) Tuesday: Won 11-3 vs. Buffalo Bisons – FULL RECAP

• (P) K. Wright: 6 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
• (3B) A. Riley: 1-4, HR (GS), 4 RBI, BB
• (1B) P. Florimon: 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R, 2 K

Gwinnett picked up their 4th-straight win and starter Kyle Wright (#5 prospect) notched his second-straight victory, pitching a gem by working around just three hits and keeping the ball on the ground all game (8 groundouts and 2 flyouts).

The Huntsville, Ala. native was also efficient, only needing 73 pitches (54 strikes) to get through his outing.

The Stripers scored 9 runs in the seventh inning, a team record in one inning. Third baseman Austin Riley kicked off Week 7 with more crazy hot play, belting a grand slam for his 13th homer in his past 18 games.

He leads the IL in both homers (15) and RBI (39). Tuesday’s slam also tied the team record for most homers in the month of May, with 10.

Riley didn’t have his home run mate, Adam Duvall, as Duvall went hitless in his five at-bats, snapping his on-base streak at 20-straight games.

(5/15) Wednesday: Won 6-2 vs. Buffalo Bisons – FULL RECAP

• (P) B. Rowen: 3.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
• (CF) R. Ortega: 3-5, 2 HR, 2 2B, 2 RBI, K
• (SS) L. Marte: 1-4, HR, 2 RBI, K

The day finally came. The player we’ve all been waiting for made it to the Show on Wednesday. Riley is now an Atlanta Brave.

Even with Austin Riley’s promotion on Wednesday morning, the show must go on for Gwinnett; and Wednesday night that fantastic show just kept on rolling for the Stripers as Gwinnett hit 5 home runs in their win over Buffalo.

It was the fourth time this season that the Stripers hit five homers in game, the last coming on May 10 against Pawtucket.

Rafael Ortega (2 HR), Adam Duvall, Luis Marte and Ryan LaMarre all participated in the group long-ball party, showing us they can still produce power without the likes of the Braves second-best prospect.

First baseman Travis Demeritte finished 2-for-4 with a double, rounding out all the offensive contributors for the Stripers.

Here’s Austin Riley’s first interview as a major league baseball player:

In case you missed the Atlanta Braves game (big league Braves) Wednesday evening, Austin Riley took Michael Wacha (Cardinals starter) deep to left-center with a 109 MPH drive that traveled 438 feet for his first home run as a big leaguer.

The combination of him hitting a homer in only his second career at-bat and the excitement shown by his parents during the game’s broadcast, are just a few things that make baseball the greatest sport of them all. Absolutely awesome.

(5/16) Thursday: Won 11-2 vs. Buffalo Bisons – FULL RECAP

• (P) B. Wilson: 7.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, BB, 5 K
• (1B) S. Kazmar Jr.: 2-5, HR, 2B, 3 RBI
• (C) A. Jackson: 3-5, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, K

For the second night in-a-row, the Stripers went off on offense, slugging four home runs and eight extra-base hits as team. Adam Duvall finished 1-for-4 with a homer and an RBI, also scoring two runs and walking once.

Here’s Duvall’s solo shot:

The other home run hitter on Thursday was left fielder Travis Demeritte, who went 2-for-5 with an RBI, two runs and a strikeout.

The Stripers also hit four doubles, with Ryan LaMarre hitting a two-bagger and going 1-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Andres Blanco and Luis Marte also hit doubles. Marte finished 2-for-3 and Blanco 1-for-5.

Here’s Thursday’s first baseman, Scott Kazmar Jr., and his homer in the 5th — the Stripers’ fourth and final homer of the evening:

Starter Bryse Wilson (#10 prospect) turned in a solid start on Thursday, putting in a season-high 7.1 innings of 4-hit ball. He threw 94 pitches (65 strikes) and kept the ball on the ground with eight groundouts.

Thursday’s rout was 6 in-a-row for Gwinnett and their second series-sweep in-a-row as well.

(5/17) Friday: Won 7-5 vs. Pawtucket Red Sox – FULL RECAP

• (P) K. Allard: 5.2 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
• (LF) A. Duvall: 1-3, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB, K
• (RF) T. Demeritte: 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, K

It was another day off bombs, as the Stripers hit three more homers on Friday, to go along with two doubles. Duvall and Demeritte’s homers are listed above, but the other home run came from shortstop Jack Lopez (Austin Riley’s replacement). Lopez finished 2-for-4 with his homer, a double and three RBI.

All three homers came in the 2nd and 3rd innings, and Duvall’s long ball was a rather notable one; number 72 for the team this season.

Scott Kazmar Jr. and catcher Sal Giardina also picked up hits Friday, with Kazmar Jr. going 1-for-4 with a double and a run; and Giardina finishing 1-for-3 with two runs, a walk and a strikeout.

Kolby Allard (#12 prospect) had a rough outing as he continued to give up too much contact. His 105 pitches (68 strikes) was a little much for just 5.2 innings of work and only 3 strikeouts. Regardless, his outing was good enough for the win (that’s that happens when your offense leads the League in homers).

(5/18) Saturday: Won 5-2 vs. Pawtucket Red Sox – FULL RECAP

• (P) P. Weigel: 4 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, BB, 2 K
• (RF) T. Demeritte: 2-5, HR, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 K
• (LF) A. Duvall: 1-4, HR, 2 RBI

Starting pitcher Patrick Weigel got the call-up to Gwinnett Saturday night and also started on the mound, pitching four no-hit innings and helping Gwinnett win their 8th-straight (team record).

The homers started early for Gwinnett. Here’s the opening inning, with a drive by Travis Demeritte:

Later in the game, reliever Ynoa Huascar — also got a promotion from Mississippi — got into the game and earned the win with 2 innings of work.

Rafael Ortega finished with two hits and two runs, also walking and striking out twice. Andres Blanco, Pedro Florimon and Ryan LaMarre all contributed with two hits apiece.

After Saturday night’s win, the Stripers had hit 41 home runs over their last 17 games in the month of May (or 2.41/game).

Adam Duvall sent one out deep in the final inning, his 15th homer of the 2019 season:

https://twitter.com/GoStripers/status/1129914739537137665?s=19

Duvall’s 9th inning blast on Saturday gave him four-straight games with a home run and at least one in six of his last eight games.

(5/19) Sunday: Lost 5-4 vs. Pawtucket Red Sox – FULL RECAP

• (P) K. Wright: 3.2 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, BB, 4 K
• (2B) A. Blanco: 2-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB
• (DH) T. Demeritte: 1-4, HR, RBI, K

Gwinnett finally got beat on Sunday after winning a team-record eight-straight, but one streak did continue on the final day of Week 7 as Travis Demeritte hit a home run in his fourth consecutive game.

Here’s Demeritte’s big fly in the 4th inning, and Andres Blanco’s in the 5th:

https://twitter.com/GoStripers/status/1130183082869436423?s=19

Starter Kyle Wright took the mound for the Stripers, pitching rather well until surrendering four runs in the 4th inning, resulting in his poor final pitching line.

Other than Demeritte and Andres Blanco’s home runs, outfielder Rafael Ortega added two XBHs with a couple of doubles. Adam Duvall, Ryan LaMarre and Alex Jackson all three went hitless, combining to go 0-for-12 with 5 strikeouts.

(19-24) Flordia Fire Frogs (A+)

WEEK 7 RECORD: 5-2

Players of the Week

(2B) Kevin Josephina

6 games, .478 BA, double, 5 RBI

(RF) Greyson Jenista

7 games, .259 BA, HR, triple, 2 2B, 5 RBI, SB

I had to pick two batters this week as Jenista needed a mention. This is probably the first week that he’s played well all seven days, so hopefully this is a sign that he’s getting going as a professional player.

Jenista now has 40 games under his belt in High-A, currently hitting .229 with 3 home runs and 9 doubles. This week could be the start!

Kevin Josephina was signed by the Braves in 2014 out of Curacao, and while he has always possessed speed, he’s never been much with the bat.

Well, on Saturday Josephina proved otherwise, racking up 5 hits in Florida’s win. I wouldn’t get too excited yet, as a player putting up a .480 average over 25 at-bats can basically mean diddly squat.

But, with 6 seasons already in the organization (he signed at 17-years-old), Josephina might have figured something out.

(SP) Jasseel De La Cruz

9 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 BB, 4 K

The guy threw a no-hitter. Enough said. Read below for details regarding his start Saturday.

The Week at a Glance

(5/13) Monday: Postponed (RAIN)

(5/14) Tuesday: Postponed (RAIN)

(5/15) Wednesday: (DOUBLEHEADER)

Game 1: Won 6-5 (F/9) vs. St. Lucie Mets – FULL RECAP 

• (P) N. Kingham: 4 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, BB, 3 K
• (C) W. Contreras: 1-4, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K
• (3B) D. Lugbauer: 1-4, 3B, RBI, K

In Game 1 the Fire Frogs found themselves down 5-0 after four innings, due to some poor pitching by starter Nolan Kingham. But the offense prevailed and chipped away at the lead, forcing the scheduled 7-inning game into nine innings and beating the Mets.

Right fielder Greyson Jenista (#14 prospect) provided a hit in his 4 at-bats, scoring a run, walking once and striking out once. Jefrey Ramos also picked up a hit and scored a run.

First baseman Kevin Josephina finished 3-for-5 with an RBI, a run scored and a strikeout in Game 1. Josephina’s RBI-single in the bottom of the ninth, scoring Jenista, walked it off for the Fire Frogs.

Reliever Sean McLaughlin picked up the win, pitching 3 innings of one-hit ball and punching out three. It was his first win of 2019.

Game 2: Won 5-4 vs. St. Lucie Mets – FULL RECAP

• (P) M. Withrow: 3.1 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 5 K
• (RF) G. Jenista: 2-3, 3B, 2 RBI, R, BB, K
• (1B) K. Josephina: 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI

Game 2 featured a better start for Florida, as they had a 5-2 lead going into the 6th inning. However, St. Lucie would score two runs in the top of the 6th, making it a one-run game.

Starter Matt Withrow certainly pitched well enough for the win, throwing 52 pitches (37 strikes) and keeping the ball on the ground with no flyouts during his outing. Reliever Lukas Young picked up the win with 2.2 innings of work and a strikeout.

DH Brett Langhorne plated the other run for Florida (other than Jenista and Josephina above), finishing 0-for-3 with an RBI-groundout in the 4th. He also struck out once.

The save went to Kurt Hoekstra (his first). Hoekstra worked the final inning and allowed a hit, walked two and struck out one. The Fire Frogs finished Wednesday sweeping the Mets in their doubleheader.

(5/16) Thursday: (DOUBLEHEADER)

Game 1: Won 3-2 (F/8) vs. St. Lucie Mets – FULL RECAP

• (P) P. Pfeifer: 5.2 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 6 K
• (RF) J. Ramos: 1-3, 2B, RBI
• (C) W. Contreras: 1-3, RBI, BB, K

The downfall of Florida Fire Frogs baseball is well… baseball in Florida is hard to achieve with so much rain this time of year. So Thursday required another doubleheader for the Frogs and Mets, and Florida’s Game 1 starter (Philip Pfeifer) pitched his longest outing of his career.

Pfeifer went the distance with 94 pitches (55 strikes) and only surrendered 4 hits in his outing.

In the 8th inning (the game was scheduled for seven), with a runner on, Riley Delgado popped a single and William Contreras (#7 prospect) received an intentional walk, loading the bases for outfielder Greyson Jenista. That led to a crazy finish as Jenista drew a walk, winning the game with his patience at the plate. Florida wins Game 1.

Game 2: Lost 2-1 vs. St. Lucie Mets – FULL RECAP

• (P) B. Wilson: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
• (RF) G. Jenista: 1-3, HR, RBI
• (2B) B. Langhorne: 1-2, 2B, K

Game 2 started off tight as neither team could muster much offense. Florida’s starter, Brooks Wilson, pitched a strong four innings, facing 13 batters and walking none.

With Florida up 1-0 in the 6th, St. Lucie rallied and scored two runs on reliever Brandon S. White.

Florida’s third baseman Jordan Rodgers finished 1-for-2 with a strikeout and catcher Rusber Estrada went 1-for-3, rounding out the offense for the Fire Frogs (except for Jenista and Langhorne above).

The Fire Frogs and Mets split the doubleheader on Thursday.

(5/17) Friday: Lost 8-6 vs. Jupiter Hammerheads – FULL RECAP

• (P) F. Tarnok: 5.1 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, BB, 5 K
• (C) W. Contreras: 1-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R, K
• (SS) R. Unroe: 2-5, 2B, RBI, 2 R, 2 K

Before the game Friday, some roster moves were made: right-handed pitcher, Ryan Shetter, was transferred from Extended Spring Training to the Fire Frogs (he pitched for Florida in late April this season). To make room, righty Brooks Wilson was moved to Danville (Rookie ball team).

Friday’s gamed ended up being wild. It was a normal 2-0 lead for Jupiter going into the top of the 6th until the Hammerheads broke out with four runs.

Answering back, Florida scored four runs of their own in their half of the 6th; thanks to Riley Unroe‘s RBI-double, William Contreras‘ two-run double and Garrison Schwartz’s RBI-single.

The teams also matched runs in the 7th inning, with Florida scoring from a Greyson Jenista two-run double. The inning ended with Jupiter up 8-6.

The Fire Frogs couldn’t muster any more runs, but shortstop Riley Unroe did make an excellent play in the 9th, throwing out Jupiter’s Nick Fortes as he was going home attempting an inside-the-park home run.

(5/18) Saturday: Won 12-0 vs. Jupiter Hammerheads – FULL RECAP

• (P) De La Cruz: 9 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
• (LF) J. Ramos: 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, BB
• (1B) K. Josephina: 5-5, 2 RBI, 3 R

All it took was 89 pitches Saturday night for starter Jasseel De La Cruz.

In a tremendously efficient outing, De La Cruz threw a no-hitter and blanked the Hammerheads, and the Florida offense broke out as well.

Eight out of nine Fire Frogs hitters recorded a hit, with Greyson Jenista finishing with three hits, including a double and two runs, plus a stolen base. Garrison Schwartz also added two doubles, to go with two RBI.

Catcher William Contreras finished 1-for-5 with an RBI and a run, while Riley Delgado picked up a hit, a walk and a strikeout.

All together, it was 3 doubles, a homer and 18 total hits for Rome on Saturday.

(5/19) Sunday: Won 2-1 (F/10) vs. Jupiter Hammerheads – FULL RECAP

• (P) H. Deal: 6 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 3 K
• (SS) R. Delgado: 2-5, 2B, RBI
• (CF) G. Schwartz: 1-4, 2B, RBI, R, K

One of the Fire Frogs leaders this season, shortstop Riley Delgado, came through Sunday and hit a walk-off double to beat Jupiter and win the series.

The pitching was excellent as well, with starter Hayden Deal providing Florida his sixth quality-start of the season with a 3-hit outing Sunday.

Greyson Jenista and Izzy Wilson were both hitless, but first baseman Drew Lugbauer added a base-hit and two strikeouts. Kevin Josephina continues to rake, as he finished with a double and a run, but three strikeouts.

(21-22) Rome Braves (A)

WEEK 7 RECORD: 5-3

Players of the Week

(1B) Greg Cullen

8 games, .483 BA, HR, double, 3 3B, 7 RBI

It was close, but someone finally edged out Trey Harris for Batter of the Week. Harris hit .437 in Week 7, with two homers.

Cullen not only hit almost .500 over the eight games he played in last week, but he hit 3 triples, which is insane in such a short span.

The 22-year-old was drafted last year in the 15th round and is coming along rather nicely, batting .279 with 2 home runs in exactly 40 games this season with Rome. He’s also getting on base at a 40% clip (.399 OBP to be exact).

(SP) Jose Olague

1 start, 1 win, 8 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, BB, 3 K

Pitcher of the Week goes to Olague for the two-hitter he tossed on Wednesday. That 8-inning start featured 10 ground ball outs for Olague, illustrating how great he is at keeping his pitches down.

Olague isn’t a strikeout-type pitcher — only 19 strikeouts in 39.1 innings-pitched this season — but he’s been great so far for a thin Rome pitching staff. He’ll go into next week with a 4-3 record and 3.20 ERA.

The Week at a Glance

(5/13) Monday: (DOUBLEHEADER)

Game 1: Lost 2-1 vs. Colimbia Fireflies – FULL RECAP

• (P) A. Rangel: 6.1 IP, 7 H, ER, BB, 5 K
• (2B) G. Cullen: 1-3, RBI
• (C) L. Brown: 1-3, 2B

Columbia’s starter in Game 1, Jose Butto, stifled the Rome batters, striking out eight and only giving up four hits in 5.1 innings.

Rome struck in the 3rd from an RBI-single by Greg Cullen, but that’s all the offense would produce as the team only managed 4 hits in their loss. Outfielder Andrew Moritz finished 1-for-3 with two strikeouts and Trey Harris went hitless in his three at-bats, striking out once.

Game 2: Lost 6-1 vs. Columbia Fireflies – FULL RECAP

• (P) V. Vodnik: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
• (LF) T. Harris: 3-3
• (2B) A. Montesino: 1-3, 3B, R, 2 K

Rome went home Monday night with a sweep hanging over them, as they dropped Game 2. Victor Vodnik got the start for Rome, his first start of the season, and pitched very well. He threw 38 pitches (25 strikes) in his outing and kept the ball down with four groundouts.

Catcher Ricardo Rodriguez finished with a double, going 1-for-4 with a strikeout, representing the only other XBH by Rome. Braulio Vasquez had 2 hits and a strikeout.

Rome wasted two strong starts by their starting pitching on Monday, getting outscored 8-2, combined, in their losses.

(5/14) Tuesday: Won 5-1 vs. Asheville Tourists – FULL RECAP

• (P) G. Noguera: 6 IP, 3 H, ER, 0 BB, 4 K
• (1B) G. Benson: 2-4, 2B, RBI, R
• (2B) G. Cullen: 2-4, 3B, 2 R, 2 K

Rome made up for Monday’s poor play, stringing together 11 hits in Tuesday’s win. Seven out of 8 Rome hitters recorded a hit, and four different hitters came away with multi-hit finishes.

Trey Harris finished 1-for-4 with an RBI and a strikeout, and Logan Brown smacked a base-hit. Left fielder Andrew Moritz scored a run and notched a hit in his three at-bats, while leadoff hitter Justin Dean rounded out the hitting with a 2-for-4 finish. Dean also struck out twice.

(5/15) Wednesday: Won 5-1 vs. Asheville Tourists – FULL RECAP

• (P) J.Olague: 8 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, BB, 3 K
• (LF) T. Harris: 2-4, 2B, RBI
• (RF) A. Moritz: 2-4, R, SB, L

It was an outstanding crowd on hand for Wednesday’s game, as Rome beat the Tourists. Wednesday’s game started at an unusual time of 11:30 a.m (EST).

Jose Olague saved the Rome bullpen some work, dazzling with a two-hitter for 8 innings. Olague only needed 92 pitches (59 strikes) to get through his excellent start, keeping the ball on the ground with 10 groundouts.

Every Rome batter recorded a hit except for Carlos Paraguate and Ariel Montesino, with 4 different hitters putting together a two-hit day. Catcher Logan Brown was one of those two-hit contributors, finishing 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run.

Check out this catch by center fielder Justin Dean on Wednesday:

Justin Dean and Greg Cullen both had base-hits, while Griffin Benson finished 2-for-3 with a run scored, an RBI and a strikeout.

(5/16) Thursday: Won 10-5 vs. Asheville Tourists – FULL RECAP

• (P) T. Riley: 5.1 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
• (C) L. Brown: 2-5, 3B, 2B, 2 RBI, R
• (3B) D. Cruz: 2-3, 2 RBI, R, BB

Rome had some roster moves before Thursdays game:

(INF) Braulio Vasquez was placed on the IL Thursday, and in a corresponding move, infielder Derian Cruz was transferred to Rome from Extended Spring Training.

The entire Rome lineup recorded a hit in this one, with six different hitters finishing with two hits or more (two of them are listed above):

• (CF) Justin Dean: 2-for-4, 3B, RBI
• (2B) Greg Cullen: 3-for-5,
• (LF) Trey Harris: 2-for-5,
• (1B) Griffin Benson: 2-for-5, 3B

Rome’s starter Trey Riley had a rough start, but he ended up with the win after giving up five earned-runs. Riley is now 2-5 this season with a 6.32 ERA.

Reliever Matt Hartman picked up his first save of 2019, working 3.2 innings and striking out six. He only surrendered two hits during his appearance.

Rome’s win on Thursday gave them a 3-game sweep of Asheville.

(5/17) Friday: Won 11-3 vs. Columbia Fireflies – FULL RECAP

• (P) O. Javier: 7 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, BB, 6 K
• (LF) T. Harris: 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, K
• (1B) G. Benson: 3-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI, R, 2 K

Rome played an almost perfect on Friday with both the pitching and hitting performing about as good as a team can. Odalvi Javier pitched 7 strong innings, with his only mistakes being an unfortunate double-play by Rome that ended with the Fireflies sneaking in a run in the 4th, and a two-run homer in the 5th.

Rome had 14 hits as a team, with seven going for extra bases, along with four different Rome batters putting together multi-hit games. Justin Dean went 2-for-3 with a double, 2 RBI, 2 runs, 2 walks and a stolen base.

Second baseman Greg Cullen finished 4-for-4 on Friday, plating two runs and scoring three runs of his own. Cullen also walked once. Friday’s DH was catcher Logan Brown, and he went 1-for-5 with a double and 2 RBI, also scoring a run and striking out once.

(5/18) Saturday: Won 9-5 vs. Columbia Fireflies – FULL RECAP

• (P) A. Rangel: 5 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, BB, 3 K
• (CF) J. Dean: 3-4, HR, 3B, 2B, 4 RBI
• (LF) T. Harris: 3-4, HR, RBI, R

It was Star Wars Night in Rome as Saturday’s matchup with Colombia had a draw of roughly 5,000 fans. The R-Braves didn’t disappoint, with Trey Harris and Justin Dean leading the offense.

Dean was a base-hit away from hitting the cycle, as he plated four of the nine Rome runs.

Catcher Ricardo Rodriguez plated two runs of his own and finished 2-for-3, while Greg Cullen and Jose Bermudez both knocked in runs, with Cullen belting a triple.

Starter Alan Rangel was up-and-down throughout his outing, but thanks to the six XBH from the offense, he notched his third win of 2019. Reliever Victor Vodnik converted the save and added 2 strikeouts.

(5/19) Sunday: Lost 9-8 vs. Columbia Fireflies – FULL RECAP 

• (P) G. Noguera: 5 IP, 10 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
• (3B/1B) B. Venter: 1-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB
• (SS) A. Montesino: 1-4, HR, RBI, BB, SB

Rome dropped to Columbia on Sunday in a high scoring affair, but four different R-Braves hitters slugged a home run, which hasn’t happened yet for Rome in 2019.

Gabriel Noguera wasn’t fooling anyone Sunday, pitching around 10 hits and two homers, but the Rome bullpen was great in the later innings, surrendering no runs and only 4 hits total once deployed.

The Rome home runs came from Venter and Montesino above, but also Trey Harris and Greg Cullen. Cullen and Harris finished with two runs and two RBI apiece.

That’s it this week. Share your thoughts and comments below. Who do you think will be the next Braves minor league player to get the call to the Show? Let us know!