(55-70) Norfolk Tide 2, (56-72) Gwinnett Stripers 4
•Carlos Rodríguez, LF: 1-for-3, 2 BB, .255/.325/.342
•Jesús Bastidas, DH: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, BB, .313/.362/.516
•David McCabe, PR-1B: 0-for-3, BB, .226/.314/.355
•Luke Waddell, 2B-SS: 1-for-4, 2B, .282/.379/.363
•Sandy León, C: 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, R, .173/.346/.382
•Jhancarlos Lara, SP: 2.2IP 1H 2ER 3BB 6K, 4.83 ERA
•Hayden Harris, RP: 1IP 0H 0R 0BB 2K, 0.37 ERA
Lots of good things happened for the Stripers last night starting with two really good innings from Jhancarlos Lara who really focused on
his 2S fastball last night, and maintained elite velocity with it while locating it quite well. The only thing going against him were a couple of long offensive innings by the Stripers that sort of ruined his tempo. All in all, some great progress for Lara last night because if he can effectively utilize his two seam more and stay away from his four seam, the Braves REALLY have something with him. All in all, it was a really well pitched game for the Stripers. Connor Seabold (2.1IP 0H 0R 0BB 2K) made an appearance and attacked the zone really well. The recently signed, and return of, Anderson Pilar (2IP 1H 0R 0BB 1K) and avoided contact for the most part, going mainly cutter/slider. Following Anderson was Rolddy Muñoz (1IP 0H 0R 0BB 1K) who effectively used his 2s for both weak contact, and whiffs. And finally Hayden Harris (1IP 0H 0R 0BB 2K) was fantastic yet again, generating whiffs with his sweeper that he now has full confidence in – lowering his ERA on the season to a minuscule 0.37.
Offensively it was Jesús Bastidas that got the first big hit of the game, a two run single that put the Stripers up 2-0. Jesús also did a good job moving a runner over in the game as well, and has overall massively impressed since being brought into the organization. Jim Jarvis was hit by a pitch and removed from the game, with David McCabe playing in his place. It is unknown what the injury may be at this time. And most importantly, Sandy León cracked the double digit home run barrier for the first time in his career, with this game winning homer.
(53-67) Columbus Clingstones 5, (42-80) Rocket City Trash Pandas 2
•Patrick Clohisy, RF: 1-for-4, SB, R, .303/.352/.444
•Ethan Workinger, DH: 2-for-4, R, BB, .220/.294/.385
•Adam Żebrowski, C: 1-for-5, 2 RBI, R, .217/.227/.339
•E.J. Exposito, 3B: 3-for-5, 2 RBI, 2B, 3B, .219/.270/.331
•Ambioris Tavarez, 2B: 2-for-4, R, .500/.500/1.000
•Ian Mejia, SP: 7IP 5H 2ER 2BB 9K, 2.41 ERA
The Trash Pandas are lucky the Clingstones didn’t open up a massive lead as they had an astounding 21 at bats with runners in scoring position. But once again, it was the pitching that did a lot of the heavy lifting for the Clingstones. Ian Mejia continued his absolutely Stellas season with another seven innings of two run baseball. Ian attacked hitters very well with his fastball and cutter, and was able to effectively end at bats with his breaking pitches (slider, splitter). While nothing was absolutely overwhelming, it was once again, the execution of the art of pitching that gave Ian the easy win. After setting the tone for 7 innings, it was Tyler LaPorte who came in, in relief and pitched an effective eighth inning. After giving up a lead off double, he was able to utilize his sweeper effectively to get through the inning without giving up a run. The game was closed out by Ryan Bourassa, who also picked up his first save of the season for the Clingstones, who got his fastball in the upper third well, and was able to keep hitters at bay with his splitter down low. Overall, very effective pitching by the Clingstones pitching staff in the win.
The damage done offensively came mainly in the third inning when the Clingstones were able to put up four runs in a long inning. A bases loaded two run single by Adam Zebrowski was the first big blow, putting the Clingstones up 2-1. Adam had three hard barrels in the game, with three hits over 100 MPH. The second big hit came two hitters later when E.J. Expositio collected his second extra-base hit, in two innings, with this two run double.
Ambioris Tavarez got his first start in Double-A and played second, providing a pair of hits.
(52-69) Winston-Salem Dash 4, (52-67) Rome Emperors 3
•Cody Miller, 2B: 3-for-5, 2B, RBI, .345/.367/.483
•Alex Lodise, SS: 1-for-5, .230/.269/.351
•Isaiah Drake, CF: 0-for-4, BB, .267/.323/.314
•Jake Steels, RF: 3-for-4, HR, RBI, 2R, .215/.289/.292
•Herick Hernandez, SP: 4IP 4H 2ER 5BB 7K, 3.70 ERA
Herick Hernandez with yet another Herick Hernandez type of start, absolute filth, but unable to stay in the zone. He continued to generate whiffs when he was able to stay in the zone, with his fastball, slider, and splitter all displaying strong attributes. All in all, I counted as astounding 19 whiffs in just four innings of work but his issue remains – can he stay in the zone. Adam Maier came on in relief and put together one of the best outings he’s had on the season (3IP 3H 1ER 0BB 6K) with a good sinker, and strong slider. Trent Buchanan got his second appearance in High-A and was just okay – struggling with his fastball location. He did improve in his second inning of work with strong secondaries.
While the box score for Alex Lodise looks bad, with another three strikeouts, his pitch selection was improved and he mainly stayed in the zone which he has struggled with. Cody Miller, however, continues to show off his hit tool with a three hit performance including a hard double. He posted two hits with exit velocities over 95 MPH and, while the walk rate is seemingly non-existent at the time, it’s hard to be critical when the hit tool is shining as much as it is. Keshawn Ogans continued his strong season with another two hits, both also with exit velocities over 95 MPH – showing a vast improvement from last year. Along with Cody Miller, Jake Steels has a dynamite game – going 3-for-4 with a solo homer – the first of his career.
(62-58) Augusta GreenJackets 1, (66-56) Charleston RiverDogs 6
•Eric Hartman, CF: 1-for-4, .250/.348/.380
•John Gil, SS: 0-for-4, .249/.341/.362
•Tate Southisene, DH: 0-for-4, .222/.250/.370
•Owen Carey, LF: 0-for-3, .255/.326/.333
•Juan Mateo, 3B: 1-for-3, RBI, BB, .202/.277/.213
•Dixon Williams, 2B: 0-for-2, 2 BB, R, .233/.352/.450
•Jeremy Reyes, SP: 6IP 2H 0R 2BB 5K, 2.58 ERA
It was once again the Jeremy Reyes show who continued his impressive month of August with another six shutout innings. He wasn’t the same as he was the rest of the month, as he struggled to get ahead of hitters, but he was dynamite with runners on. Jeremy once again showed elite velocity with his four seam high in the zone, hitting 97, and excellent velocity on his two seam, sitting in the low to mid 90s. The cutter, slider, and changeup were all solid as well – in what has been a revelation of a season for the talented pitcher. Finally healthy, and presumably free of lingering shoulder issues, Jeremy has shown why he rose so much in evaluators eyes last season – absolutely dominating hitters. Unfortunately, as good as Reyes was, Kendy Richard was not (2IP 7H 6R 5ER 0BB 1K) as he struggled with his slider, and as a result was extremely hittable.
Unfortunately for both of them, the bats were once again silent – collecting only two total hits, and no extra-base hits. Juan Mateo got the lone run in, with an RBI single in the fourth inning that briefly gave the GreenJackets the lead. It has been a frustrating week for the GreenJackets offense who have been shut down by the RiverDogs pitching staff.
