Garcia also drove in a pair and score two runs on the night
(21-34) Gwinnett Stripers 3, (34-21) Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 4
- James McCann, DH: 2-4, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R
- Carlos Rodriguez, RF: 1-3, R, BB
- Ian Anderson, SP: 4 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 5 BB, 2 K
Gwinnett bookended their scoring opportunities in this one — getting one run in the bottom of the first, and two more in the home half of the ninth — but ultimately fell by one run to Jacksonville.
The Stripers got on the board first as James McCann launched an 0-2 pitch over the left centerfield wall to make it a 1-0 Gwinnett advantage.
Ian Anderson got the start for the Stripers and tossed a pair of scoreless frames before running into trouble in the top of the third and fourth innings. Jacksonville tagged Anderson for four runs — only three of which were earned — to take a 4-1 lead in this one.
Despite putting a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings, Gwinnett was only able to score again in their final at-bat.
Carlos Rodriguez led off the inning with a walk before McCann doubled him home. McCann later came around to score as Jose Devers reached on an error to make it a 4-3 ballgame. However, Eddy Alvarez popped out to the first baseman to end the game as the Stripers came up short.
(21-24) Columbus Clingstones 0, (23-22) Chattanooga Lookouts 1
- Geraldo Quintero, LF: 1-3, SB
- Lucas Braun, SP: 6 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 3 K
The good news for Columbus on Friday is that their pitching was incredibly solid. Lucas Braun tossed six innings of one-run ball, while Ian Mejia threw a pair of scoreless innings, lowering his season ERA to just 0.99.
However, the Clingstones offense went stagnant as they were held to just two hits on the night. The first baserunner for Columbus came in the top of the second as Drew Compton reached on an error, but the first base hit wouldn’t come until the top of the sixth when Cody Milligan reached on a single. Geraldo Quintero accounted for the only other Columbus hit, a single into center field. He also added a stolen base to his credit later in the inning.
(25-24) Rome Emperors 4, (21-28) Asheville Tourists 3
- Justin Janas, RF: 2-5, RBI, R
- Ambioris Tavarez, 2B: 1-3, 2 BB
- Garrett Baumann, SP: 6 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 6 K
Rome was the lone Braves-affiliated team to come away with a win on Friday, beating Asheville by a narrow 4-3 margin in extras.
Garrett Baumann got the start on the mound and put up a bit of a mixed performance. While he managed to strike out six without issuing a single walk in his six innings of work, Baumann also gave up three runs on seven hits.
Two of those runs came in the top of the second inning as Rome found themselves in an early deficit. In the home half, however, the Emperors tied things up as Mac Guscette came through with an RBI-single and E.J. Esposito later scored on a balk to make it a 2-2 game.
Both teams scored one run each in their respective halves of the sixth inning — with Rome’s coming on an error as Will Verdung scored to make it a 3-3 game.
After Baumann gave way to the bullpen, Isaac Gallegos, Amos Willingham and Cory Wall kept Asheville at bay by tossing four combined innings of one-hit ball. The downside is that the Emperors offense fell flat for a few innings, sending the game to extras.
Wall tossed a scoreless top of the tenth, striking out a pair in the process. In the bottom of the frame, with a pair of runners in scoring position and two outs, Justin Janas came through with a single into left field to plate Patrick Clohisy and give Rome the walkoff win.
(25-21) Augusta GreenJackets, (18-28) Myrtle Beach Pelicans (CANCELED)
This one was the epitome of minor league baseball, as the game was canceled due to “power issues.” The game will not be made up, and Augusta’s scheduled doubleheader on Saturday will continue to be played.
(7-13) FCL Braves 4, (14-6) FCL Rays 7
- Junior Garcia, LF: 3-5, HR, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R
- Manuel Dos Passos, C: 3-5, 2B, RBI, R
- Carlos Monteverde, 1B: 2-5, RBI
- Cam Caminiti, SP: 3.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 4 K
Despite the three-run loss, there were a few bright spots for the FCL Braves squad on Friday.
Junior Garcia led the way at the plate with a monster performance that included a homer and two doubles while driving in a pair of runs. Catcher Manuel Dos Passos also had a strong night, going 3-5 at the dish with a double, RBI and a run scored.
On the mound, Cam Caminiti got the start and again had a bit of a mixed outing. The young lefty tossed 3.2 innings and scattered six hits while allowing three runs. However, he also struck out four and didn’t issue a single walk in his outing. While the hits and runs allowed obviously aren’t where he wants them to be, the fact that Caminiti has issued just two walks in his 13.2 innings of work this year — especially as an 18-year-old lefthander — is very encouraging.