Sunday saw the teams in the Atlanta Braves farm system split the results of four games. More importantly we got to see Luis Guanipa and Tate Southisene help carry the Augusta offense, the best start of the season for Cade Kuehler, and Dixon Williams record another extra base hit.
Durham Bulls 7, Gwinnett Stripers 6
- Jim Jarvis, SS: 1-4, BB, .299/.407/.416
- Brewer Hicklen, CF: 3-5, R, RBI, .339/.422/.583
- Anthony Molina, SP: 3.2 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 5.40 ERA
Anthony Molina got the start, and things were looking good through three innings. The Stripers held a 6-1 lead at that time, before Molina imploded a bit and gave up three runs while recording just two outs
in the inning. After Daysbel Hernandez came in to get the final out in the fourth, Hunter Stratton went on to allow a run in the fifth inning. Hayden Harris got the next two innings, and didn’t allow a run – but also didn’t record a strikeout. With a 6-5 lead heading into the eighth the Stripers turned to the usually reliable James Karinchak, and he proceeded to allow two runs to score and picked up the loss. Ian Hamilton pitched a scoreless ninth to finish things off on the pitching side.
The Gwinnett offense was hot early on, but couldn’t score a single run after the third inning. Brewer Hicklen’s three for five day was one of two three-hit games, along with DaShawn Keirsey Jr.. Luke Williams had a pair of hits, while Aaron Schunk walked twice, and the following guys all had a single and a walk: Jim Jarvis, Nacho Alvarez, and Ben Gamel. Brett Wisely also had a key game, as he scored twice and batted in a pair of runs in his one for four afternoon.
Knoxville Smokies 4, Columbus Clingstones 3
- David McCabe, DH: 1-3, BB, .274/.366/.613
- Cal Conley, 3B: 2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI, .293/.389/.585
- Lizandro Espinoza, SS: 1-3, BB, SB, .296/.418/.556
- Ian Mejia, SP: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 10.13 ERA
Ian Mejia turned in one of his better starts of the year, going three and a third innings and allowing just one unearned run on a pair of hits and a pair of walks. Mejia, who struck out three and had five whiffs, lowered his ERA to 10.13 after a rough start to his season. From there the bullpen came in and did their job. Blayne Enlow went an inning and two thirds, followed by two innings from Samuel Strickland, and one from Owen Hackman where no further damage came across. Blane Abeyta was next, but he gave up three runs in just two thirds of an inning, before Elison Joseph had to come in to get the final out.
The Clingstones actually held a 3-1 lead heading into the ninth thanks to a two-run homer from Cal Conley, then Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. adding a solo shot in the eight to give them an insurance run. Conley, who hit his fifth homer of the season, also had a single on the day. Both David McCabe and Lizandro Espinoza went one for three and drew a walk, plus Espinoza stole a base. Beyond that group, the only other hit was a Patrick Clohisy double.
Rome Emperors 3, Brooklyn Cyclones 1
- Dixon Williams, CF: 1-4, 2B, RBI, .295/.418/.538
- John Gil, SS: 1-4, R, SB, .273/.373/.446
- Cade Kuehler, SP: 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K, 4.98 ERA
Cade Kuehler turned in his best start of the season as well on Sunday, throwing six innings of one-hit, scoreless baseball. Kuehler allowed two walks and struck out six, picking up 12 swings and misses. Connor Thomas followed with two and a third innings of one-run ball, striking out two. Justin Long earned the save by coming in to get the final two outs.
All of the key prospects in the Rome lineup did something in this win. Isaiah Drake singled and drew a walk in his four plate appearances. John Gil singled, stole a base, and scored one of the runs. Dixon Williams had a double and batted a run in. Eric Hartman had a single. Drake was one of three guys to reach base multiple times, joined by Colin Burgess (1-3, BB) and Will Verdung (2-4).
Augusta GreenJackets 7, Myrtle Beach Pelicans 4
- Luis Guanipa, CF: 3-4, 2 2B, R, 3 RBI, SB, .317/.362/.531
- Tate Southisene, SS: 2-5, R, 2 SB, .270/.413/.482
- Alex Lodise, DH: 1-4, BB, 2 R, RBI, 2 SB, .252/.328/.399
- Davis Polo, SP: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 4.08 ERA
Davis Polo got the ball on Sunday evening and went four and two thirds, allowing four runs on three hits and three walks, with five strikeouts and 12 whiffs. It was better than it sounded, as he pitched a pair of scoreless innings to open, allowed a two-run homer in the third, and didn’t allow anything more in the fourth. He came back out for the fifth, and it was clear he was running out of gas, as he allowed two more runs in two thirds of an inning. After Lewis Sifontes got the final out of the fifth inning, Kendy Richard came on and didn’t allow a hit or a run over the final four innings, allowing just one walk and striking out three, as he picked up the win.
Tate Southisene was back in the lineup after getting Saturday off, but Luis Guanipa was the story in this one. Guanipa was three for four with a pair of doubles, single, stolen base, run scored, and three runs batted in. Southisene also had a strong day, going two for five with a pair of steals and a run scored. Alex Lodise also reached base twice, as he walked, singled, stole a pair of bases, scored twice, and batted one in. That trio at the top of the lineup combined for six hits, one walk, five stolen bases, four runs scored, and three batted in. That was pretty much the entirety of the Augusta offense along with Joe Olsavsky, who was two for three with a walk and a homer.
