Nick Montgomery hit his first career home run on Thursday, while Lucas Braun threw a gem and Craig Kimbrel appeared to be a guy ready to be bumped up to Atlanta in the very near future.
Thursday was a full slate down on the Atlanta Braves farm system, and it included multiple notable performances. Lucas Braun turned in the best start of his season, going an out shy of seven innings in the process. He was followed by Craig Kimbrel, who turned in a dominant relief appearance. Meanwhile Nick Montgomery hit hit first professional homer in a loss.
Gwinnett Stripers 3, Lehigh Valley IronPigs 2
- Charles Leblanc, 3B/2B: 2-3, 2 BB, R, .309/.418/.327
- Luke Waddell, SS: 2-5, .317/.405/.381
- Nathan Wiles, SP: 6 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 0.64 ERA
- Michael Petersen, RP: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 2.25 ERA
Nathan Wiles continued his excellent start to the season, going six innings and allowing two runs – just one earned, on eight hits and a walk while striking out five. With this game his ERA actually increases to 0.64 as this was the first earned run he allowed through three starts. Wiles, who went four innings apiece in his first two starts, and allowed one combined hit prior to today, has been an early surprise for the Stripers. Michael Petersen followed and went two scoreless innings with four strikeouts, while Jordan Weems went a scoreless frame with two strikeouts
The top of the order did all of the damage for Gwinnett, as the first three hitters in the lineup had almost all of the production. That trio combined for five of the six team hits, two runs scored, and two batted in. The biggest star here was Charles Leblanc, who went two for three with a pair of walks and a run scored. Luke Waddell went two for five, and while Garrett Cooper was just one for four, he did hit a two-run homer in the first inning. The only other hit came from Eddys Leonard, who was one for three with a walk.
Pensacola Blue Wahoos 4, Columbus Clingstones 3
- Ethan Workinger, RF: 3-4, 2B, RBI, .250/.323/.429
- Geraldo Quintero, LF: 1-4, 3B, R, RBI, .152/.237/.394
- Lucas Braun, SP: 6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 3.44 ERA
- Craig Kimbrel, RP: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 0.00 ERA
Another strong effort from Lucas Braun on Thursday, as he went one out shy of seven innings, allowing five hits without a walk and striking out seven. It was arguably the best start of the season for Braun, though he has competition for that title with his previous two starts. A ramping up Craig Kimbrel followed, and he struck out all four batters he faced in his second outing of the season. Jorge Juan was the next pitcher, and he didn’t allow any to reach base as he picked up a strikeout in an inning. Jake McSteen took the loss as he allowed two runs (one earned) over his inning of work.
The Columbus offense was all Ethan Workinger in this one, as Workinger went three for four with a double and run batted in. Workinger had three of the team’s four hits, with the other being a Geraldo Quintero, who tripled and batted in a run. David McCabe went 0-4 with a run scored in the loss, giving him a rare game where he doesn’t reach base at all.
Asheville Tourists 5, Rome Emperors 0
- Titus Dumitru, DH: 1-2, 2 BB, .263/.378/.342
- Garrett Baumann, SP: 3 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 7.94
After struggling in each of his first two starts, giving up seven and five runs, Garrett Baumann rebounded in this start. Baumann only went three innings, giving up three hits and two walks while picking up a pair of strikeouts. William Silva followed and allowed four runs (three earned) in two innings of work. After Silva the pen was untouchable, allowing no runs or hits over the next four innings. Ryan Bourassa went two innings with a frame apiece for Austin Smith and Isaac Gallegos, with each member of that trio picking up a pair of strikeouts.
The Rome offense just never got going in this loss, picking up a total of three singles and three walks. The biggest performance came from Titus Dumitru, who was one for two with a pair of walks, reaching base three of the six total times the Emperors had a base runner. The other two hits came off the bats of Ambioris Tavarez and Will Verdung, with Patrick Clohisy picking up the final walk
Myrtle Beach Pelicans 11, Augusta GreenJackets 6
- Owen Carey, DH: 1-4, 2B, R, .318/.375/.432
- Nick Montgomery, C: 1-4, HR, R, 2 RBI, .119/.275/.214
- Owen Hackman, SP: 2.2 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 6.75 ERA
Owen Hackman turned in a tough outing on Thursday, allowing four runs in two and two thirds innings on six hits and a walk to go with a pair of strikeouts. Unfortunately all four pitchers who appeared for Augusta gave up multiple runs in this loss. David Rodriguez allowed two runs in an inning and a third, followed two more in three and two thirds from Brett Sears. Finally Jackson Dannelley allowed three runs in his inning and a third in a forgettable performance from the GreenJacket pitching staff.
Nick Montgomery has struggled a bit to start the year, which shouldn’t be shocking considering he was a prep catcher in his first professional action. But this game showed why the Braves liked Montgomery enough to give him an over-slot bonus. Montgomery hit a two-run homer, the first as a member of the Braves organization. Owen Carey also went one for four with a double and scored a run. Jake Steels and Alen Pineda each added a single in the losing effort to account for all four Augusta hits. It’s also worth noting that the only player to reach base multiple times is Douglas Glod, who was hitless in two at bats but also drew two walks.