(60-59) Gwinnett Stripers 8, (43-75) Norfolk Tide 9
- Patrick Clohisy, LF: 2-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, .396/.458/.575
- Brewer Hicklen, DH: 2-for-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI, .301/.371/.528
- Brett Wisely, SS: 2-for-5, HR, 4 RBI, R, .273/.389/.416
- Cedric De Grandpre, SP: 5IP 4H 4ER 3BB 3K, 5.82 ERA
Safe to say Gwinnett enjoyed the trip back home as they dropped Sunday’s game, and the overall series against the Tide, in rather heartbreaking fashion – as the Tide walked them off.
Cedric De Grandpre got the start for the Stripers and started off strong, retiring the first six batters that came to bat. The issues began in the third when Cedric’s command started to waiver as he allowed a pair of walks along with three runs to put the Stripers behind. Cedric gave up another run the following
inning after he gave up a walk, wild pitch that allowed the runner to get to second, then RBI single. Cedric would bounce back in the fifth, getting the Tide to go 1-2-3 before giving way to the recently acquired Duncan Davitt (0.2IP 4H 4ER 1BB 1K) who had a game to forget allowing four earned runs in less than an inning pitched. He was removed from the game with a runner on first and replaced by Rolddy Muñoz (2IP 1H 0R 0BB 4K) who ended the threat, and was overall dominant on the mound yet again for the Stripers. He was relieved by James Karinchak (1IP 1H 1ER 3BB 1K) who came in with 2 outs in the 8th but ran into some trouble, walking the first batter he saw, hitting the second one, before ending the inning by striking out Heston Kjerstad to end the threat. The good fortune would not continue into the 9th as James gave up a pair of walks (one intentional), as well as a single, to load the bases with just one out where he would ultimately give up the game winning sacrifice fly to walk it off for the Tide.
Offensively there was a lot to go around as the Stripers scored eight runs on 12 hits, while walking seven times and striking out nine times. Despite scoring eight runs, they scored in just two innings: the first and the sixth. In the first it was Brett Wisely that got the Stripers on the board, driving in Patrick Clohisy in from third on a grounder to second. Kyle Farmer, batting right after Brett, singled in Brewer Hicklen to put the Stripers up 2-0. They would be held scoreless the next two innings before exploding for six runs in the fourth. All six runs came with two outs as well – making that inning even crazier. Maverick Handley, and Luke Williams would get on base via a pair of singles and Cal Conley would be hit by a pitch to load the bases. Patrick Clohisy drove in two with an RBI single, driving in Maverick Handley and Luke Williams, while also reaching third. Patrick was then driven in by Brewer Hicklen to extend the Stripers lead, at that time, to 5-3. Brett Wisely would then crush this 103 MPH HR to emphatically put the Stripers up 8-3.
Unfortunately for the Stripers the pitching was unable to keep this lead, and the offense was unable to add another run over the games final five innings as the Stripers fell.
(53-56) Columbus Clingstones 5, (46-68) Birmingham Barons 3
- John Gil, SS: 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, BB, .311/.407/.444
- Eric Hartman, LF: 1-for-3, 2 BB, .244/.404/.267
- Jordan Groshans, DH: 2-for-5, HR, R, RBI, .272/.339/.549
- Owen Carey, RF: 1-for-5, 2B, R, .217/.308/.435
- Braden Scott, SP: 5IP 3H 3ER 3BB 5K, 2.77 ERA
Extremely strong work from the bullpen, along with a solid start from Braden Scott, kept the Clingstones in the game where some late offense helped propel to the victory over the Birmingham Barons.
Braden Scott got the start for the Clingstones and was solid – striking out five over five innings of work. Braden did a great job of limiting contact, allowing just three hits, but also walked three batters which helped fuel some of the runs he gave up. He gave up one truly hard hit ball, a two run home run, in the fourth inning but otherwise pitched more than effectively for Columbus. Braden kept the Clingstones in it, and then turned it over to a bullpen that was lights out. Isaac Gallegos (2IP 0H 0R 0BB 1K) was the first arm out of the bullpen and he was extremely effective – pounding the zone and needing just 22 pitches to get through two innings. He was replaced by Anderson Pilar (1IP 0H 0R 0BB 2K) who absolutely pounded the zone, with 14 strikes on 17 pitches in a spotless inning of work. He turned it over to Owen Hackman who came in and needed just 11 pitches to pick up his third save of the season in what was a very impressive day for the Clingstones bullpen.
Offensively, the Clingstones did enough. The first run scored in the second inning when Owen Carey led off the inning with his second double since his promotion to Double-A. He would later score on a single by Will Verdung later in the inning. In the fourth it was once again Will Verdung who got on base via a fielding error, and came in to score when Luke Waddell dropped a double in left field to put the Clingstones back up 2-1. After falling back down 2-3, it was Jordan Groshans who connected on his 23rd home run of the season to tie it back up. Now we fast forward to the eighth with the game tied 3-3 where, with two outs, John Gil hits his first home run since being promoted to Columbus to put the Clingstones up 5-3, a lead they would hold onto.
(53-57) Rome Emperors 14, (39-73) Asheville Tourists 16
- Luis Guanipa, LF: 1-for-6, .213/.226/.328
- Conor Essenburg, RF: 1-for-2, 4 BB, 3 R, .238/.458/.357
- Alex Lodise, SS: 4-for-6, HR, 4 R, 2 RBI, .343/.434/.571
- Dixon Williams, CF: 4-for-6, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 3 R, .235/.337/.466
- Blayne Enlow, SP: 2IP 2H 2ER 1BB 2K, 9.00 ERA
The Emperors lost a tough one as they fell late, allowing THIRTEEN RUNS over the games final four innings to lose a heartbreaker where the offense churned out 14 runs on 17 hits along with eight walks.
Offensively, the Emperors scored early and often – scoring three in the first on two blasts by Alex Lodise, and Dixon Williams. The Lodise home run came with Conor Essenburg on-base, so the Emperors led 3-0 before a pitcher ever stepped on the mound.
The Emperors would add another run in the third on a Cade Doughty force out – scoring Conor Essenburg who got on via a walk to start the inning. The next big swing came in the fifth inning when…Conor Essenburg walked, Alex Lodise singled, and Dixon Williams hit his second home run of the game to put Rome up 7-3. Fast forward two innings and it was…Dixon Williams yet again connecting on his third home run of the game, and fifth over the last two innings, scoring Alex Lodise and giving Rome the 9-3 lead.
Dallas Macias would contribute a three run home run of his own later in the inning to extend the lead to 12-3. The Emperors would then add on another home run, this time a two run blast from Cade Doughty in the 10th inning to put Rome up 14-12, before they ultimately fell in the bottom half of the inning.
On the mound, it was a complete disaster for the Emperors who were forced to use seven pitchers. Justin Long (1IP 0H 0R 1BB 0K) was the only pitcher to not surrender a run yesterday. Starting pitcher Blayne Enlow made his return to the mound, giving up a pair of runs over two innings of work. He was replaced by Carter Lovasz (3IP 1H 1ER 1BB 4K) who made his High-A debut and pitched effectively, giving up just one earned run over his three innings of work. After Justin Long pitched his scoreless inning, the Emperors turned to Drew Christo (0.1IP 4H 5ER 2BB 1K) who had a game to forget, surrendering five runs while registering just one out. Tyler Schoff (1.2IP 3H 2R 0ER 0BB 1K) who fell victim to some poor defense while also giving up a pair of unearned runs. The Emperors then turned to Jarret Whorff (1IP 2H 2ER 1BB 2K) who blew the save, allowing the Tourists to tie the game and force extras. David Rodriguez (0.2IP 3H 4R 3ER 0BB 0K) pitched the final inning of the game, allowing a walk off two run home run.
(63-51) Charleston RiverDogs 6, (60-52) Augusta GreenJackets 9
- Carson Beck, CF: 4-for-5, 5 RBI, R, .409/.480/.500
- Jacob Jarrell, C: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, 2B, .238/.273/.333
- Juan Mateo, 2B: 2-for-4, 2B, HR, RBI, R, .251/.329/.352
- Caden Merritt, RF: 2-for-3, HR, 2 R, RBI, BB, .220/.366/.347
- Brody Fowler, SP: 4.2IP 6H 6ER 1BB 3K
The Augusta GreenJackets kept up their recent winning ways, staging a really strong come from behind victory as they scored five runs in the games final two innings to earn their 60th win of the season.
Brody Fowler got the start, and struggled as he allowed six runs across just 4.2 innings of work. To his credit Brody gave up four runs in the second inning, but buckled in and provided some length for the GreenJackets. The tone of the game shifted once the bullpen got started. Brody was replaced by Ryan Heppner (1.1IP 1H 0R 1BB 0K) who escaped the jam in the fifth inning while also pitching a clean next inning. Ryan was replaced by Adiel Melendez (2IP 1H 0R 3BB 1K) who struggled with his command, walking three, but still put up two scoreless innings of work to keep the GreenJackets in the game.
Offensively, the GreenJackets had to claw and scratch their way back into the game. Already down 5-0 in the third inning, it was 2026 draftee Carter Beck who got the GreenJackets on board, singling in Joe Olsavsky who had led off the inning with a HBP and stolen base. The following inning they flex their power a bit, with Juan Mateo and Caden Merritt both connecting on solo home runs to make it 3-6. After the Meritt solo shot, Joe Olsavsky got on base via a throwing error, making it to second, and came in to score on…a Carter Beck single that made it 4-6. Fast forward to the seventh inning and with two outs and runners on second and third, Jacob Jarrell came up huge with a two run double to tie the game, driving in Manuel Campos and Matt Scannell. Which sets the stage for the eighth inning when Caden Merritt and that man Joe Olsavsky picked up back-to-back walks before Carter Beck picked up his fourth hit of the game, connecting on his first home run as a professional putting the GreenJackets up 9-6, eventually giving them the win.
