It was a messy day down on the farm as multiple games were rained out in what was supposed to be a day full of action with nine total games slated for play. Still, there was plenty of action to go around, so let’s dive into it.
(46-45) Gwinnett Stripers, (44-48) Toledo Mud Hens (POSTPONED)
Mother Nature got in the way of this one, as the Stripers’ matchup against Toledo was postponed due to weather. Unfortunately, this means AJ Smith-Shawver did not make his anticipated start.
Gwinnett will be back in action on Saturday.
(40-42) Columbus Clingstones 3, (45-42) Chattanooga Lookouts 3 (SUSPENDED)
It’s a shame this one was suspended in the home half of the first inning due to rain, because through both team’s first trip to the plate, they combined for six runs on seven hits in what looked like it was going to be an offensive explosion.
Newly signed free agent Carson Taylor, Jordan Groshans and Will Verdung each tallied an RBI in the shortened outing, while Taylor also laced a double in the process as well.
The one person who was the happiest the game was rained out was Columbus starter Julio Robaina, who gave up three runs in just 0.2 innings of work before the contest was called.
The Clingstones will resume Friday’s game on Saturday as part of a doubleheader.
(42-43) Rome Emperors 0, (31-56) Asheville Tourists 4
While Rome’s game wasn’t rained out, they probably wish it would have been, as there was clearly some break hangover left as the Emperors were shutout in the 4-0 loss.
As the final score might suggest, Rome was limited at the plate to just four hits — all singles — as Tate Southisene, Colby Jones, Mason Guerra and Dallas Macias tallied the lone knocks for the Emperors.
Meanwhile starter Ethan Bagwell didn’t have his best stuff in his first start post-break, but was still somewhat solid for Rome. Across 4.2 innings, Bagwell held Asheville to two runs on six hits while only walking one and striking out three on the night.
The biggest detriment in his outing was the long ball, as Bagwell gave up a pair of homers in those 4.2 innings. The somewhat good news is that both of those home runs were only solo shots.
(48-40) Augusta GreenJackets 2, (43-43) Fayetteville Woodpeckers 3
The GreenJackets found themselves in an early hole in this one and were unfortunately unable to climb their way out of it, losing a tight one by a 3-2 final.
On the one hand, Augusta was held to just two hits, a pair of singles courtesy of Michael Martinez and Cooper McMurray — who also happened to score both of the team’s only runs.
However, the GreenJackets did manage to work a solid seven walks on the night as well, but they also went a combined 0-5 with runners in scoring position on the night as well.
Landon Beidelschies got the start in this one and allowed two runs on three hits across 3.2 innings of work. The lefty also walked three and struck out three in the process.
(17-36) FCL Braves 6, (34-20) FCL Rays 5 (GAME ONE)
While things didn’t exactly go according to plan for any of the teams in the upper minors on Friday, the FCL came away with at least one win in their doubleheader.
Wuilinyer Tovar got the start in game one for the Braves and tossed 4.2 innings of five-hit, three-run ball while walking a pair.
Offensively, things got off to a solid start as Manuel Campos singled home Caden Merritt in the top of the first to give the Braves an early 1-0 lead. However, the Rays managed to plate three runs of their own in the home half to put the Braves in a 3-1 deficit.
In the top of the fifth, Campos would once again come through, this time with a two-RBI single, to score Juan Espinal and Cardell Thibodeaux to tie things up at 3-3.
The Braves retook the lead in the top of the sixth as Elias Reyno scampered home on a wild pitch to make it a 4-3 game, while Johan Rodriguez singled home Espinal and Merritt later in the inning to tack on and extend the lead to 6-3.
Edward Cedano came on in relief of Tovar in the fifth inning, but proceeded to give up two runs in 2.1 innings of work as the Rays closed the gap in the bottom of the seventh to make it a 6-5. However, Cedano managed to stop the bleeding there and preserve the lead for the Braves.
(16-37) FCL Braves 3, (35-19) FCL Rays 7 (GAME TWO)
Game one might have went the Braves’ way, but game two was a much different story as the club ended up splitting their doubleheader following the 7-3 loss in this one.
At the plate, Merritt had yet another strong game by going 2-4 with a triple — his second of the day — and a run scored. Espinal also came through with a solo homer, while Yoelvis Betancourt drove in two of the team’s three runs in the game, going 2-3 in the process.
On the mound, 2025 17th rounder Brody Fowler, who joined the FCL club again after a brief stint at high-A Rome in which he tossed four innings of one-run ball, striking out nine batters in that span. Perhaps it’s just a tune-up for Fowler, as he doesn’t figure to spend much more time with the FCL squad.
On Friday, Fowler got roughed up a bit, allowing five runs (three earned) while also striking out seven in 4.1 innings of work.
(8-21) DSL Braves 7, (16-14) DSL Rays 6 (GAME ONE)
In what was easily the most exciting game of the day down on the farm, the DSL Braves won game one of their doubleheader in dramatic fashion by beating the DSL Rays in extra innings.
Serving as the opener, Ernesto Meza tossed one inning, giving up one run. However, a bulk of the pitching workload came courtesy of reliever Charlis Medina, who spun 5.1 innings of scoreless ball, scattering four hits and striking out four in the process.
Medina’s performance is a huge reason why the Braves were able to remain in this game.
At the plate, the Braves jumped out to a dominant early lead, plating five runs in the top of the first.
Yassell Pena got things started with a two-RBI single to plate Edelson Cabral and Sherrintley Da Costa Gomez to give the Braves a 2-0 lead. Durban Arnedo later singled Pena home, before Luis Consoro tripled Arnedo and Osmar Torrealba home to extend the lead to 5-0.
The Rays took a 6-5 lead in the second inning, but the Braves tied things up in the top of the third, courtesy of Cabral RBI-single.
Both team’s respective offenses shut down from that point forward, sending the game into extras.
In the top of the eighth, Consoro came through once again with an extra base hit, this time an RBI-double to score Luis Fortunato to give the Braves a 7-6 lead.
In the home half, Yostin Pinales tossed a scoreless frame to put the Rays down and seal off the win for the Braves.
(9-21) DSL Braves , (16-13) DSL Rays (GAME TWO) (POSTPONED)
Once again, weather got in the way as the DSL squad’s second game of the day was called off due to rain.
