Talking Chop

This was almost a completely hopeless night with only a 5 run comeback in the top of the 9th by Mississippi saving a win for any of the Braves teams.

Gwinnett 3, Charlotte 6

• M. Young 2-5 2B, HR(1), K, CS(1)
• B. Clevlen 1-2 HR(2), 2BB, K
• F. Freeman 2-4 2B, K
• C. Kimbrel 1IP 0H 0R 2BB 3K

Well the losing streak continues but there were some signs of life from the offense with Freddie Freeman collecting a couple of hits including a double. Also home runs from Brent Clevlen and Matt Young give some hope for the future. Craig Kimbrel has now struck out 9 men in 5 innings this year. He has walked 3 as well but I feel like he has better command than he did last season. Also Tyler Flowers hit his second homer against Gwinnett tonight.

Mississippi 8, West Tennessee 5

• A. Romero 2-4 2B, 2 RBI, BB, K
• D. Linares 1-5 HR(3), 2 RBI
• E. Duncan 4-5 2B, HR(2), 3 RBI, K
• L. Hyde 2IP 0H 0R 1BB 3K
• S. Marek 1IP 0H 0R 0BB 2K

A catcher's interference call and a 3-Run homer by Eric Duncan in the 9th inning helped push Mississippi to one game under .500. Duncan went crazy go nuts in this game and is now hitting .435 on the year. Donell Linares has also hit in 7 straight games and has homers in 3 of his last 5 games. In other news Stephen Marek has been the best reliever in the system thus far and could find himself in Atlanta this season.

Myrtle Beach 4, Salem 7

• G. Rodriguez 1-4 HR(3), K
• J. Sucre 3-4 2B, RBI, K
• M. Kennelly 1-4 2B
• JJ Hoover 4IP 5H 3R 3BB 3K

Not a spectacular outing by JJ Hoover but not really terrible in my opinion either. Matt Kennelly and Jesus sucre might be the best hitting catchers tandem in the minors right now. Remember Kennelly is just 21 this year and has been a solid defender for a while now. I wouldn't be surprised to see his bat break out this year and really become an interesting prospect.

Savannah 9, Rome 2

• K. Rose 1-4 BB, 2K, SB(3)
  
• C. Harrilchak 1-3 RBI, 2BB
• R. Lopez 4.1IP 1H 0R 3BB 4K

David Hale got hit hard early and was relieved by the fantastic Robinson Lopez. Lopez has allowed just 1 ER in 8.1 innings this season while striking out 8. He has walked 4 so far but small sample size alert on that. Kyle Rose continues to be a dynamic force at the top of the lineup even if no one is knocking him in when he gets on base. If Cory Harrilchak can get it going things could turn around for the 5-5 Braves. Bethancourt went 0-4 for the second straight night.