Braves Minor League Recap: Isaiah Drake, Michael Martinez, Alex Lodise with strong days

· Yahoo Sports

(40-38) Gwinnett Stripers 13, (45-34) Nashville Sounds 10

  • Jim Jarvis, SS: 3-for-4, 3 R, BB, .313/.409/.466
  • Brewer Hicklen, LF: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, .307/.376/.512
  • Jose Azócar, RF: 3-for-5, 3 R, 2 RBI, .246/.302/.344
  • Ben Gamel, DH: 3-for-5, R, RBI, .201/.337/.327
  • Garrett Bauman, SP: 2IP 6H 8ER 2BB K, 12.66 ERA
  • Rolddy Muñoz, RP: 1IP 0H 0R 0BB 3K, 2.37 ERA

Box Score

Visit afrikasportnews.co.za for more information.

Strong bullpen pitching and very clutch hitting was the recipe for success for the Stripers come from behind victory. Three bullpen arms got it done, after starter Garrett Baumann was forced out in the third inning.

It was a very rough start for Garrett Baumann who lasted just two innings after surrendering six hits, and two walks, along with a wild pitch. The runs came early for Garrett who surrendered two runs in the first, including an RBI triple that drove in Luis Lara to put the sounds up 1-0. He would then give up a sacrifice fly to the next batter to push the lead to 2-0. Fast forward to the third inning and things really fell apart for Garrett as he went 2B, BB, 1B, WP, BB, Grand Slam, 3B to start the inning. He was replaced by Connor Thomas (4IP 4H 2ER 1BB 4K) who came in rushed and subsequently gave up a run scoring single of his own, and a two run home run to push the lead for the Sounds to 10-2 in the third. Connor would then settle in and pitch three more scoreless innings. He was relieved by Joel Payamps (2IP 2H 0R 0BB 1K) and Rolddy Muñoz (1IP 0H 0R 0BB 3K) would who pitched the final three innings of the game, registering a combined three scoreless innings, allowing the Stripers to mount their furious comeback.

After scoring a pair of runs in the second, the Stripers found themselves down 10-2 entering the fifth inning when the Stripers offense started to make things interesting. Run scoring singles by Luke Williams, and Brewer Hicklen, along with a run scoring ground out by Brett Wisely allowed the Stripers to close the gap to 10-6. A run scoring sacrifice fly by Brett Wisely, that drove in Jim Jarvis who singled earlier in the inning and went first-t0-third on a DaShawn Keirsey single, lessened the gap to 10-7 in the seventh inning. Ben Gamel would get back into the action in the eighth inning when he drove in Aaron Schunk to make it 10-8, and Jair Camargo would drive in José Azócar via a ground out to make it 10-9 in the eighth. The Stripers would then load the bases in the ninth inning with one out and Aaron Schunk would come through with game tying sacrifice fly to even the score at 10-10 with 2 outs. Azócar and would then hit the game winning single, driving in Brett Wisely, to make it 11-10. Azócar would then steal second, and come into score, along with Brewer Hicklen, on a field error by Luis Matos to give the Stripers two more runs, and making it 13-10 before Rolddy Muñoz struck out the side to end the game and give the Stripers the dramatic come from behind victory, the largest in franchise history.

(37-35) Rocket City Trash Pandas 0, (31-37) Columbus Clingstones 6

  • Jordan Groshans, 3B: 2-for-4, RBI, 2 R, 2B, HR, .278/.363/.535
  • Archer Brookman, C: 2-for-5, HR, RBI, 2 R, .259/.351/.393
  • Kevin Kilpatrick Jr., RF: 3-for-5, RBI, BB, .255/.339/.366
  • Lucas Braun, SP: 5IP 5H 0R 4BB 7K, 4.04 ERA

Box Score

Timely hitting, as the Clingstones went 5-for-11 with runners in scoring position, along with extremely strong pitching by five pitchers gave Columbus the shutout victory over the Trash Pandas.

Lucas Braun got the start for the Clingstones and while he danced around some trouble, allowing nine batters to reach base, he worked out of every jam, allowing only five singles. Every time there was some trouble, Lucas was either able to induce really weak contact or striking out batters. Following Lucas was a masterful, and dominant performance by a quartet of Clingstone arms. First up was the rehabbing Danny Young (1IP 0H 0R 1BB 1K) who pitched a scoreless sixth inning, needing just 13 pitches to retire the side. He was followed up by Ian Mejia (1IP 0H 0R 0BB 0K) who finally got an outing to go his way – pounding the zone and needing just 11 pitches to register the scoreless inning. Blake Burkhalter (1IP 0H 0R 0BB 0K), who is slowly returning to form after multiple injuries in the off-season, needed just 10 pitches as he induced a pair of fly outs in a scoreless eighth inning. Finally came in Tyler LaPorte (1IP 0H 0R 1BB 1K) who pitched the final inning, preserving the shutout for the Clingstones.

Offensively, much like the Stripers, it was some timely hitting by the Clingstones who as a team went 5-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Their first run came in the second inning with an Ambioris Tavarez RBI single that gave the Clingstones a 1-0 lead. In the next inning, five Clingstones in a row reached base, to push the lead to 3-0. In the fifth, it was catcher Archer Brookman who hit his fifth home run of the season to push the lead to 4-0. The fifth run came in the sixth inning in a rather unconventional way with Patrick Clohisy drawing a walk, stealing second and third, before coming around to score on a throwing error by the catcher to make it 5-0. Finally, it was Jordan Groshans in the eighth inning, that connected on his 11th home run of the season to extend it to 6-0.

(46-27) Greensboro Grasshoppers 5, (35-36) Rome Emperors 2

  • Tate Southisene, SS: 1-for-5, .203/.365/.288
  • Isaiah Drake, RF: 3-for-4, 2B, HR, RBI, 2 R, .258/.338/.425
  • Owen Carey, LF: 1-for-3, BB, .245/.308/.378
  • Zach Royse, SP: 5.2IP 8H 5ER 1BB 3K, 6.75 ERA

Box Score

The vaunted Emperors offense was never able to really get it started as they faced one of, if not the best, minor league baseball’s top arms in Seth Hernandez.

Zach Royse got the start for the Emperors and was just okay, as he gave up four extra-base hits including two home runs and a pair of doubles, in his start. Zach exchanged zeroes with Seth Hernandez for most of the game, until things fell apart for him in the decisive sixth inning. Zach gave up a pair of solo home run to start the inning. He would also give up a pair of doubles, and a run scoring balk, before being removed from the game with 2 outs in the fifth, and replaced by David Rodriguez (1.1IP 0H 0R 0BB 1K) who would end the threat, and pitch a scoreless seventh. Much like the Clingstones pitching staff, the Emperors relief core pitched the final 3.1 innings without allowing a single hit. Following David was Drew Christo (1IP 0H 0R 1BB 1K) who pitched a scoreless eighth before turning the ball over to Jacob Kroeger (1IP 0H 0R 0BB 2K) who struck out a pair in the games final inning.

Offensively, everyone outside of Isaiah Drake struggled mightily. The Emperors went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position, stranding eight on base as a team. The teams’ first run came in the in the fourth inning when the Emperors would load the bases with two outs for Mason Guerra who promptly drew a walk, driving in Isaiah Drake. Colin Burgess would fly out to end the threat. The Emperors would then be held in check until the eighth inning when it was, once again, Isaiah Drake that connected on his 11th home run of the season.

(40-33) Augusta GreenJackets 4, (41-32) Charleston RiverDogs 7

  • Luis Guanipa, CF: 0-for-3, BB, .319/.376/.486
  • Alex Lodise, SS: 2-for-4, RBI, .257/.348/.458
  • Tanner Smith, C: 2-for-4, HR, RBI, R, .244/.310/.474
  • Michael Martinez, DH: 2-for-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, R, .238/.319/.417
  • Landon Beidelschies, SP: 4IP 8H 6ER 1BB 1K, 7.71 ERA

Box Score

The much anticipated, at least by me, Cream (Aidan Cremarosa) – Cheese (Landon Beidelschies) pitching matchup went the way of the cream, as Landon Beidelschies struggled in his four innings of work for the GreenJackets.

After a relatively easy first inning, Landon ran into some problems in the second as he gave up a lead off double, and then a two run home run to put the RiverDogs on the board and giving them a 2-0 lead. He would allow four more runs in the fourth inning as he allowed five hits, including two doubles, pushing the lead for the RiverDogs to 6-0. Landon was replaced by Logan Forsythe (3IP 3H 1ER 0BB 6K) who pitched well, striking out six across three innings of work. He was clipped for one run in the seventh inning but otherwise filled in admirably, giving the bullpen much needed length. Kendy Richard (1IP 1H 0R 0BB 1K) pitched the final inning of the game.

Offensively, the team was really carried by three players – Alex Lodise, Tanner Smith, and Michael Martinez. After being held scoreless through the games first four innings, the GreenJackets broke out for three runs in the fifth inning – highlighted by a pair of home runs including a solo one by Tanner Smith, and a two run home run by Michael Martinez.

The GreenJackets would then be held scoreless until the seventh inning when the surging Alex Lodise drove in Cooper McMurray to make it 6-4 in the seventh inning. Over his last month of play Alex has appeared in 21 games and is hitting .272/.374/.605 with 6 home runs, seven doubles, and a triple.

(24-16) FCL Rays 11, (11-29) FCL Braves 1

  • Diego Tornes, CF: 0-for-1, .196/.274/.304
  • Mario Baez, 3B: 2-for-4, .244/.277/.311
  • Juan Espinal, DH: 1-for-4, .156/.333/.156
  • Luis Arestigueta, RP: 3IP 0H 1R 1BB 4K, 4.66 ERA
  • Wuilinyer Tovar, SP: 4IP 5H 5ER 2BB 1K, 7.16 ERA

Box Score

Diego Tornes was removed from the game after hitting a 108 MPH ground out. The terms of his exit have not been disclosed.

(13-6) DSL Astros Blue 10, (4-15) DSL Braves 3

  • Jose Manon, 2B: 0-for-4, .281/.391/.421
  • Jorwin Pulido, C: 2-for-3, 2 R, .351/.412/.456
  • Edelson Cabral, SS: 1-for-2, 2 BB, .296/.424/.370
  • Sherrintley Da Costa Gomez, RF: 1-for-4, RBI, .365/.477/.615
  • Jesus Cova, SP: 3IP 1H 0R 2BB 2K, 6.75 ERA

Box Score

Read full story at source