(55-68) Norfolk Tide @ (54-72) Gwinnett Stripers – 7:05 PM ET
Pitching Probables
NOR: Tyler Wells (1-1, 2.65 ERA)
GWI: JR Ritchie (2-1, 4.31 ERA)
The hard playing Gwinnett Stripers look to continue their recent good form as JR Ritchie takes the mound in game 2 of their series against the Norfolk Tide. The Stripers offense broke out for 12 his and scored eight runs, including a massive performance by the recently promoted Jim Jarvis who went 3-for-5 with two doubles, and a single in his Triple-A debut just yesterday.
On the mound for the Stripers is JR Ritchie who
is coming off of one of his worst starts, where he gave up five earned runs in just 3.1 innings of work. It was a particularly frustrating start for Ritchie, because he was nearly unhittable in the start before that. JR struggled to put away hitters in his last start, and his defense didn’t help either. Look for JR to continue to work on his fastball arsenal (4S, 2S, CT) as he tries to find a pure out pitch to go with his well rounded arsenal.
(52-66) Columbus Clingstones @ (41-79) Rocket City Trash Pandas – 7:35 PM ET
Pitching Probables
COL: Drue Hackenberg (2-6, 7.16 ERA)
RCK: Walbert Urena (4-8, 5.15 ERA)
After being shut out by former Braves pitching prospect Mitch Farris, the Clingstones turn to Drue Hackenberg in hopes of turning around his form for the season, and to get back into the win column. Drue has looked better over his last four games, lowering his season ERA from 9 to 7.16 over his last 18 innings pitched. It’s been a rough year for him but he’s looking like he’s fixed a few things and is generating more whiffs of late.
Offensively, the Clingstones have been raided with McCabe, and Jarvis both being promoted to the Stripers. What they do have going for them, however, has been Patrick Clohisy who has an .840 OPS since being promoted to Double-A.
(50-69) Winston-Salem Dash @ (52-65) Rome Emperors – 7:00 PM ET
Pitching Probabes
WNS: TBD
ROM: Luke Sinnard (2-2, 4.50 ERA)
Rome turns to Luke Sinnard to hopefully add on to his last start where he was absolutely dynamic (5IP 2H 0R 1BB 8K), to reverse the fortune for the Emperors who were throttled last night 7-0. Hopefully Sinnard can go deeper in the game, as starter Cedric de Grandpre struggled with his command last night, lasting just 3 innings.
The Rome offense also need to get it going, after being blanked with just four hits yesterday. The Emperors offense collected just four hits, while walking twice, and striking out a staggering 13 times. The whiff struggles for Alex Lodise continued as he collected three more strikeouts himself yesterday. The biggest surprise, however, might have been Isaiah Drake and his two strikeout performance. Rome has the tools, and is coming off a longish winning streak, so hopefully Luke can get them back on track.
(62-55) Augusta GreenJackets @ (63-56) Charleston RiverDogs – 6:05 PM ET
Pitching Probables
AUG: Cam Caminiti (1-2, 2.44 ERA)
CHA: Jacob Kmatz (3-8, 5.56 ERA)
By no means was his last start bad, as Cam gave up just two earned runs over five innings of work, but losing his release point and walking three while striking out just four gives Cam plenty to work on as the GreenJackets take on Charleston for a double header today. On the season, Cam has been everything the Braves have hoped, while mainly sitting with two pitches (fastball, sweeper).
The Augusta offense will be looking for revenge of their own, being limited to just seven hits, and having hit a bit of a dry spell after being torrid for a stretch. Of significant note, Tate Southisene, after struggling his first few games as a professional, has completely locked in – collecting two doubles and a triple over his last two games. Braves fourth round comp pick Dixon Williams has also been strong, collecting his second homer since becoming a professional and is OPSing .836 now.
(63-56) Charleston RiverDogs @ (62-55) Augusta GreenJackets – GAME 2
Pitching Probables
CHA: Alexander Campos (1-0, 1.93 ERA)
AUG: Drew Christo (1-1, 2.70 ERA)
UDFA Drew Christo gets the start for the GreenJackets in game 2. Drew has been solid in one inning stints since being signed, so it will be interesting to see if they try to use him for 2-3 innings, or keep him in the same role today.
