Cade Kuehler was impressive in Tuesday’s start for Augusta.
The Atlanta Braves minor league affiliates were inconsistent yesterday. In their two wins they combined to score 13 runs, in their two losses they scored just three combined runs. Their 2023 starting pitcher draftees were more than strong combining to allow one unearned run across nine innings.
(7-9) Memphis Redbirds 5, (8-8) Gwinnett Stripers 6
- Sandy Leon 1-3, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
- Luke Williams 1-4, 1 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI,
- Bryce Elder, SP, 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
Gwinnett did the majority of their damage early in this one, scoring four in the first frame. Five of their first six batters reached base safely with Luke Williams being the only to be retired in that span. Williams though was rather unlucky as his ground out came on a batted ball of 102.1 MPH. The first could have been significantly better for the Stripers, but Phillip Evans and Sebastian Rivero were retired in consecutive at bats to limit the damage. Phillip Evans ugly start to the season continued as his 0 for 4 brought his batting average down to an unsightly .137.
Last night was the second consecutive start in which Elder allowed three runs in a start. His seven strikeouts were tied for the most he has posted in the infancy of the year, but his six hits is tied for the most he has allowed. Unlucky Luke Williams, Elder gave up his fair share of hard contact on the night allowing seven batted balls of 95+ MPH. Behind Elder, Ben Bowden and Tommy Doyle combined for 1 ⅓ scoreless innings before Ray Kerr allowed two unearned runs in route to a save.
(3-7) Mississippi Braves 1, (6-4) Birmingham Braves 2
- Nacho Alvarez 1-5, 2 K
- Drake Bladwin 2-5
- Drew Parrish, SP, 4 ⅔ IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
The Braves left a lot on the table last night. They did record nine hits, walked twice and the Barons committed three errors. However, despite all of that, they scored a single run. That is largely due to the fact that they went 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position, struck out 11 times and left 11 runners on base. Last I checked, those are all pretty poor numbers. Tyler Tolve’s struggles continued, going 0 for 4 with 4 strikeouts. Those 4 K’s brought his season total up to 16 in just 30 at bats.
Drew Parrish was shaky in this one. Sure, he allowed just two earned runs and struck out seven batters, the most he has struck out this season. But, he also gave up seven hits, the most he has allowed this year. Impressively though, five of his seven strikeouts were of the swinging variety. Behind Parrish, the Braves pitchers were dominant, with three relievers combining to throw 3 ⅓ scoreless frames and striking out four batters.
(8-2) Charlotte Mudcats 5, (6-4) Augusta GreenJackets 7
- Drew Compton 2-3, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
- Isaiah Drake 1-5, 1 R, 4 K
- Cade Kuehler, SP, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
The GreenJackets continued their strong hitting with this becoming their fourth consecutive game in which they have scored six or more runs. Compton and Leiker Figueroa lead the charge with the duo combining for five RBI’s, four hits and two walks. Every single Augusta hitter except for Jacob Godman was able to pick up a hit, but Godman did draw a walk. Strikeouts were a bit of a problem for the Green Jackets as they were retired via the K a combined 13 times. However, it is easy to overlook that number when a team goes 4 for 10 with runners in scoring position and combines for 15 walks and hits.
Cade Kuehler has been down right dominant to start the season. Yes, it has only been two starts, but the 2023 draftee has now thrown 10 scoreless frames with 11 strikeouts and just two walks. His control was not perfect, throwing just 44 strikes on 68 pitches, but he did more than enough to pitch another strikeout. Luis Vargas was the only negative for the GreenJackets last night with the right hander giving up five earned runs across his two innings pitched. In those frames, he allowed four hits and three walks.
(5-4) Rome Emperors 2, (5-5) Asheville Tourists 4
- Kevin Kilpatrick 0-4, 2 K
- Justin Janas 2-4, 2 RBI, 1 K, 1 2B
- Drue Hackenberg, SP, 3 ⅔ IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Only four Emperors batters were able to pick up hits with Janas being the only multi hit player. Kilpatrick and Sabin Ceballos each struck out twice with six Emperors being retired via the K. Ambioris Tavarez early season struggles continued as he went 1-3 which improved his average to .154. His career strikeout concerns have once again been prevalent this season as his strikeout last night meant he has struck out in all eight games this season. Last year, the shortstop struck out an ungodly 196 times in just 416 at bats.
Hackenberg was not helped by his defense as just one of his three runs yesterday was of the earned variety. Hackenberg would have recorded a 1,2,3 inning in the second, but Tavarez had a throwing error which extended the frame. The next batter to come to the plate, Garret Guillemette, hit a homer to center which gave the Tourists a lead that they would hold for the remainder of the game. Hackenberg’s one earned run came in the fourth where after recording two quick outs, he allowed a single, hit by pitch and then walked two batters before being lifted from the game.