All four Braves affiliates ended up in the win column on Sunday, as we saw Luis Guanipa, Isaiah Drake and Jarred Kelenic among the stars of the day.
Gwinnett Stripers 12, St. Paul Saints 1
- Jarred Kelenic, CF: 4-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI, .235/.313/.330
- Luke Waddell, DH: 2-2, 3 BB, 2 R, RBI, .294/.414/.353
- Davis Daniel, SP: 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K, 3.52 ERA
- Jhancarlos Lara, RP: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 8.22 ERA
Davis Daniel went six scoreless innings, allowing only three hits and just one walk, striking out eight to set the tone in this game. Daniel’s dominant start saw him pick up 12 swings and misses and throw 62 of his 87 pitches for strikes. The lone Saints run came on a solo homer off of Jhancarlos Lara, who was otherwise excellent for his inning, allowing no other base runners and striking out two. Enoli Paredes and Kevin Herget also threw scoreless innings, seeing Paredes strike out the side and Herget pick up two. Overall the Stripers allowed seven hits, one walk, and 15 strikeouts in this complete pitching performance.
As great as the pitching staff was, the offense was just as strong, scoring 12 runs. Jarred Kelenic ended up going four for five with a double from the leadoff spot, scoring two runs and batting in one. Number two hitter Luke Waddell was two for two with three walks, two runs scored, and an RBI of his own, as the top two hitters reached base nine times in 10 plate appearances. We also got a grand slam from Conner Capel, a three-run shot from Jonathan Ornelas, and a two-run homer from David Fletcher. Ornelas ended up reaching base four times with two hits, a walk, and a hit by pitch as the three hitter, meaning the top third of the lineup reached base 13 times in 15 trips to the plate.
Swing and Misses
Davis Daniel – 12
Enoli Paredes – 6
Kevin Herget – 4
Jhancarlos Lara – 3
Columbus Clingstones 3, Montgomery Biscuits 2
- Cade Bunnell, 3B: 1-3, HR, R, RBI, .154/.294/.330
- David McCabe, DH: 2-4, R, .263/.358/.384
- Brett Sears, SP: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 7 K, 3.65 ERA
- Landon Harper, RP: 2.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 3.02 ERA
Brett Sears turned in a very strong outing, allowing just one run over six innings as he gave up four hits and a walk with seven strikeouts. Sears was in complete control and picked up 10 swings and misses, as he dropped his ERA in Double-A to 3.65. Landon Harper followed and outside of a solo homer, didn’t allow any more damage over his two and a third innings with three strikeouts. Blane Abeyta came in to pick up the final out and recorded the save. Combined the three Stones pitchers allowed eight hits, no walks, and 10 strikeouts.
Offensively Columbus did just enough to pull out the win. David McCabe went two for four and scored a run, while Cade Bunnell had a homer and EJ Exposito doubled and batted in a pair of runs. The only other Clingstone to reach base twice was Kevin Kilpatrick Jr., who went two for four with a pair of singles in the win. Hitting leadoff Ethan Workinger was hitless in three at bats, but did walk and score a run.
Swing and Misses
Brett Sears – 10
Landon Harper – 4
Rome Emperors 8, Bowling Green Hot Rods 6
- Patrick Clohisy, CF: 4-5, 2 SB, .248/.380/.345
- Mason Guerra, 1B: 1-5, HR, R, 4 RBI, .184/.205/.368
- Riley Frey, SP: 4 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 4.37 ERA
Riley Frey got the start and went four innings, allowing a pair of runs on five hits and two walks as he struck out three. Frey did manage to pick up 12 swings and misses among his 69 pitches. However since he didn’t last five innings, the win went to Logan Samuels. Samuels allowed just an unearned run over two innings of work. Samuel Strickland went an inning and two thirds scoreless before giving way to Ryan Bourassa. Bourassa got the last out in the eighth, but gave up three runs in the ninth to make this a tight game again, before ultimately closing it out.
The star of the day at the plate had to be Patrick Clohisy, who went four for five and stole two bases. Mason Guerra added a grand slam in the top of the ninth to provide some insurance runs – runs that ended up becoming important after Bourassa gave three runs back in the bottom of the ninth. Harry Owen was the only other player with a multi-hit game, which included a home run and a total of three runs batted in. Among the players to reach base multiple times were Lizandro Espinoza, Justin Janas, and Ambioris Tavarez, who all singled and drew a walk.
Swing and Misses
Riley Frey – 12
Logan Samuels – 6
Ryan Bourassa – 5
Samuel Strickland – 4
Augusta GreenJackets 7, Columbia Fireflies 3
- Luis Guanipa, RF: 2-5, R, 2 RBI, .200/.265/.244
- Isaiah Drake, CF: 3-5, R, 3 RBI, SB, .248/.333/.342
- Luis Arestigueta, SP: 4.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 6 BB, 2 K, 4.85 ERA
It was Luis Arestigueta’s turn to start on Sunday, and unfortunately he did not have his command. He battled through four and two thirds, allowing three runs on four hits and six walks as he struck out two. This was a rare occurrence for a guy who hadn’t walked more than three in a start all season and came in with 18 in 38 innings on the year. Reibyn Corona picked up the slack and then some, going three and a third scoreless to help keep Augusta in control. Finally Justin Militello pitched a scoreless ninth to finish this game off.
The Augusta outfield made their impression on this game. Isaiah Drake led the way by going three for five with a run scored, three batted in, and a stolen base. Luis Guanipa seems to be finding his footing in full season ball recently, and continued that here as he went two for five with a run scored and two batted in. The third outfielder was Eric Hartman, who added a double and run batted in. Even though he wasn’t in the outfield today, Owen Carey walked, singled, and scored a pair of runs. Among the rest of the lineup Nick Montgomery doubled, walked, and picked up an RBI, while John Gil singled and scored a run.
Swing and Misses
Luis Arestigueta – 8
Reibyn Corona – 5
Justin Militello – 4