J.P. Martinez had three hits Tuesday night to lead the Stripers
The Atlanta Braves minor league associates had a day of two extremes. In three of their games they scored seven or more runs, but in their other game, they were shutout. They had a strong showing against a former All Star, but the organization’s 2023 draft picks had their struggles.
(10-11) Gwinnett Stripers 9, (9-12) Norfolk Tides 4
- Forrest Wall 2-4, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K
- J.P. Martinez 3-5, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
- Allan Winans, SP, 5 ⅓ IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 R, 2 BB, 8 K
The Stripers offense was solid against former All Star John Means reaching base safely eight times and scratching across three runs during his 4 ⅓ frames. J.P. Martinez has carried all of his 2023 momentum into the early going of 2024 with his three hit night raising his batting average to .306. Despite hitting just .212 this season, Luke Waddell was able to find a way to impact the game at the dish, picking up three walks.
Winans up and down season continued last night with there being some positives and some negatives. His eight punch outs were far and away the most he has tallied in a game this season, seven of which were of the swinging variety. But his three earned runs across five and a third innings is not overly inspiring. Grant Holmes picked up the final five outs en route to his second save of the season. This was his seventh scoreless appearance in eight tries and the seventh straight game in which he recorded at least one strikeout.
(5-11) Mississippi Braves 8, (8-8) Montgomery Biscuits 4 F/12
- Nacho Alvarez 1-6, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 K
- Drake Baldwin 3-4, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 K
- Ian Mejia, SP, 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 8 K
Despite having 16 batters reach base, it was a rather uninspiring day at the dish for the Braves. They were just 11 for 46 collectively, struck out 12 times and went an unsightly 4 for 21 with runners in scoring position. With numbers like that, it almost feels surprising that they were able to win, let alone by four runs. Tyler Tolve did hit a two run home run, but his struggles continued going 1 for 6 with three strikeouts, dropping his batting average to .118.
Ian Mejia had an up and down outing. He struck out eight batters and allowed just one earned run. However, he walked four batters and allowed four hits. His four walks brings his season total up to 10 across 18 ⅓ innings, a ratio the 24 year old is certainly going to have to improve on. The bullpen did let the Braves down at points with Trey Riley blowing a save in the ninth inning allowing the first batter he faced, Heriberto Hernandez, to hit a home run. After that though, Hernandez and Parker Dunshee shutout the Biscuits in the three extra frames.
(8-6) Rome Emperors 7, (6-10) Winston Salem Dash 8 F/10
- Luke Worrell 2-4, 4 RBI, 2 K
- Ambioris Tavarez 2-4, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K
- Drue Hackenberg, SP, 4 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 6 BB, 6 K
Emperor hitters did their part reaching base safely 14 times and going 5 for 16 with runners in scoring position. If you were to have a gripe with their performance it was strikeouts as they were retired via the K 16 times across the ten frames. Tavarez’s two punch outs mean he has now struck out in all 12 games that he’s played this season. Additionally, it is the eighth time he’s struck out multiple times. Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. saw his mini four game hitting streak come to an end with an 0 for 5 performance dropping his batting average to .333.
All things considered, Hackenberg walking away from this one with just four earned runs is rather impressive. The 2023 draftee was poor all around as he threw just 46 of his 82 pitches for strikes which lead to his ugly six walks. He was able to force nine swing and misses, three of which resulted in strikeouts, which is a positive for him to build off of. Shay Schanaman was credited with the loss as he allowed the inherited ghost runner to score in the bottom of the tenth.
(7-9) Augusta GreenJackets 0, (10-5) Columbia Fireflies 8
- Drew Compton 3-4
- Diego Benitez 0-4, 2 K
- Cade Kuehler, SP, 6 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
There was Drew Compton, and then there was everyone else for the GreenJackets. Every non Compton named GreenJacket went 4 for 28 with eight strikeouts and a single walk. Outside of that, there really isn’t much to discuss with this one.
After two really strong outings to start the season, Kuehler lost a significant chunk of his early year momentum. The second year pitcher got into immediate trouble in the first, walking the second batter he faced and allowing the fourth batter to hit a two run homer. In the bottom of the second he allowed a lead off home run before settling down and retiring 15 of the final 19 batters that he faced.